CareCo Explorer User guide

www.careco.co.uk
OWNERS HANDBOOK
Product Code: WC01056
Explorer
Self Propelled Wheelchair

Your CareCo Explorer Wheelchair
1. Attendent push handles
2. Armrest pad
3. Footplate
4. Castor
5. Hand brakes
6. Rear wheel with cap hub
List of Parts
2
1
3
4
5
6

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the CareCo Explorer
Wheelchair. The Explorer has been designed
and manufactured to meet our own high level
of specifications and we hope you will be
delighted with your purchase.
The CareCo Explorer Wheelchair has been
designed for use both indoors and outdoors
and will take a maximum user weight of 200kg
(32 stone). It is a self-propelled wheelchair and
can be propelled by the wheelchair user using
the rear wheel handrims or by an attendant/
carer using the push handles at the rear. The
CareCo Explorer folds up too for ease of
transportation and storage.
Wheelchair Dimensions: 80cm (Width) x 107cm
(Length) x 91cm (Height)
Seat Dimensions: 56cm (Width) x 41cm (Depth)
x 50cm (Height)
Folded Width: 34cm
Weight: 26kg
Maximum User Weight: 200kg (32 stone)
Tyre type: Solid tyres
Specification

Wheels
General care
Opening the chair
Closing/folding the chair
Large rear wheels should be inspected at least
once a month to ensure proper tightness. If
wheel wobbles or is loose, release lock nut
and tighten axle bolt slightly. Test for proper
tightness by leaning chair to one side and spin
adjusted wheel.
Wipe chrome parts with a clean, soft
cloth at least once a week. All metal parts can
be cleaned with auto wax or similar poducts. If
exposed to moisture, dry immediately. Do not
use an abrasive cleanser that will scratch the
finish.
Open wheelchair by tilting to one side and
pushing down on seat rail until fully opened.
First fold foot plates to vertical position. Grab
seat with both hands at front and back edge
and lift. Or, tilt chair to one side and lift up on
seat rail.
Use and Safety

When adjusting length of foot rests or leg
rests, user should be sitting in wheelchair
with feet on the foot plates. Loosen bolt on
the clamp around support assembly. Raise or
lower foot plate to desired position that will
provide maximum support of thighs. Front
rigging should not be so low that it causes
uncomfortable pressure to thighs at front of
seat upholstery. Footrest should not be lower
than 2-1/2” from the ground to ensure
clearance.
Lift foot plate on leg rest assembly to desired
position. Release leg rest assembly and it will
automatically lock into place. To lower, push
out on leg rest lever and lower foot plate to
desired position.
Remove arms by depressing spring button and
lifting arms out of front and rear sockets.
Release lock by pushing on the front rigging
lever. Swingaway foot rest /leg rest out and
sideways. Lift to remove.
Removing the foot rests
Adjusting the foot rest length
Adjusting/Elevating leg rest
Removable arms

Engage both wheel locks before getting in
or out of chair, leaning forward in chair, or
while in an elevator or wheelchair lift. Proper
adjustment of wheel lock is at least 1/8” when
locked. Locks are engaged by pushing handle
completely forward. Adjustments to locks are
made by loosening or tightening nut on the
carriage bolt. Embed lock shoe at least 1/8” by
sliding clamp toward rear wheel while handle
is engaged in locked position. Tighten nut
and bolt to secure in position. Test for correct
locking action before actual use.
Solid rubber tyres need minimal maintenance,
but should be cleaned occasionally with a
damp cloth. Replace if tires become severely
worn or cracking appears.
Castors should be checked periodically and
lubricated occasionally. Lubricate by removing
fork and greasing castor stem bearings.
Lubricate wheel bearings by removing wheel
from fork. Reassemble fork and wheel by
tightening nuts until no play remains, but
wheels roll freely. If the nut is too loose, the
castor will shimmy, if too tight, the chair will be
hard to steer.
Wheel Locks
Tyres
Front castors

Stability
Ramps
The Explorer is designed to be safe and stable
as long as centre of gravity is maintained while
going about normal activities. Care must be
taken while performing activities that shift your
centre of gravity in the chair. Never reach so
far that require you to shift in the seat or bend
over out of the chair. When you have to reach
for objects that require you to lean, be certain
front castors are pointing in a forward position
that extends the wheel base and will stabilise
the chair.
Be sure of your own capabilities, limitations
and strength before attempting to go up a
ramp. Correct techniques on ramp negotiation
should be shown to you by a qualified
professional. Assistance is recommended when
going up or down inclines greater than
10o. If you must stop on an incline, avoid
sudden, abrupt movement when you resume
movement. Because of the backward angle
of the chair, sudden abrupt movement could
cause instability. Attempting to use the wheel
lock brakes could result in accidental locking,
tipping to one side, or cause a sudden stop.
Avoid changing direction when going down
an incline, as this could result in instability of
tipping over.
Cautions

Do not attempt to adjust or operate wheelchair
without reading carefully all instructions in this
manual.
• This wheelchair has not been approved as a
seat that can be used within vehicles of any
kind. Always transfer wheelchair user to a
vehicle manufacturer’s approved seat and
use safety restraints available.
• Do not operate this wheelchair on
roadways, streets or any surfaces with
vehicular traffic.
• Do not attempt to operate on inclines 10ºor
greater without proper assistance.
• Be sure to completely engage wheel locks
when getting in and out of wheelchair or
when in elevator or wheelchair lift.
• Wheelchair should be on a smooth, stable
and level area with wheel locks engaged
before transferring user in or out of
wheelchair.
• Do not adjust foot rests any lower than
2-1/2” from floor.
• When getting in or out of wheelchair, do
not stand on or apply weight to foot rests.
Warning

• Before reaching or leaning forward,
rotate castors to front of the wheelchair
and engage wheel locks to help prevent
wheelchair from tipping over.
• Do not lean over or apply weight to the
top of wheelchair back. This can cause
wheelchair to tip over. When trying to
extend arms over back, only reach as far
as your arm can extend without having to
alter your seating position.
• DO NOT stand on wheelchair.
• DO NOT use wheel locks to slow your
descent down an incline.
• Abruptly changing directions while going
down an incline could cause instability or
possible tipping over.

Warranty
Your CareCo branded product is under
warranty to be free from defects in material
and workmanship for one year from date
of purchase. This warranty expresses our
confidence in the workmanship and materials
used for our products.
In the event of a defect covered by this
warranty, CareCo will, at our discretion, replace
the wheelchair or supply parts to remedy.
This warranty does not cover device failure
due to owner misuse or negligence, or due to
normal wear and tear. The warranty does not
extend to non-durable parts, such as rubber
accessories, castors, grips and arm pads,
which are subject to normal wear and tear and
require periodic replacement.
If you have any queries please contact CareCo.
CareCo, Hubert Road, Brentwood,
Essex CM14 4JE
www.careco.co.uk