Handicare Fortress 1700 Series User manual

O W N E R’ S M A N U A L
FORTRESS 1700 SERIES
3 & 4 Wheel Scooters
Issue 4
October 2010

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
2
© 2009 Handicare
All rights reserved.
The information contained in this manual may not be reproduced and/or published in any form, by
print, photoprint, microfilm or by any other means, whether electronically or mechanically, without
the prior written authorisation of Handicare.
The information provided is based on the general data relating to the design of the product known
at the time of publication of this manual. Handicare has a policy of continuous improvement and
reserves the right to make changes and modifications to its products.
The information provided applies to the standard version of the product. Handicare can not be
held liable for any damage resulting from product specifications which do not conform to the
standard configuration.
The information made available has been compiled with the greatest care. However, Handicare
can not be held liable for any possible errors in the information or for the consequences thereof.
Handicare accepts no liability for loss as a result of work carried out by third parties.
Under regulations concerning the protection of trade names, the names and trade names etc.
used by Handicare may not be regarded as openly available.

Fortress 1700 DT/TA Table of contents
3
Introduction ........................................................................................ 5
This manual ........................................................................................ 5
Product labels..................................................................................6-7
Symbols used in manual.................................................................... 8
Service and technical support........................................................... 9
Identification plate.............................................................................. 9
Identification of the product .............................................................. 9
Approvals…………………………………………………………………..10
Use for intended purposes .............................................................. 10
Warranty………………………………………………………………..11-12
1 General safety regulations and instructions............................ 13
1.1 Labels and instructions on the scooter ............................ 13
1.2 Technical specifications................................................... 13
1.3 Modifications ................................................................... 13
1.4 Safety......................................................................... 13-15
2 General description ................................................................... 16
3 Main components..................................................................17-18
4 Adjustment options ................................................................... 19
4.1 Seat adjustments................................................................... 19
4.1.1 Adjusting the seat height........................................... 19
4.1.2 Adjusting the seat depth............................................ 19
4.1.3 Backrest adjustment ................................................. 20
4.1.4 Adjusting the armrest ................................................ 21
4.1.5 Adjusting the headrest ............................................. 21
4.2 Adjusting the steering tiller …………………………………22
4.3 Adjusting the rear suspension……………………………….....22
5 Operation.................................................................................... 23
5.1 Charging the batteries………...…………………………………23
5.1.2 Battery Charger……………………………………….....24
5.2 Driving the Fortress 1700 DT/TA ........................................... 24
5.2.1 Inspection before use................................................. 24
5.2.2 Getting on and off...……………………………………...25
5.3 Controls…………………………………………………...............26
5.3.1 Console panel.......................................................27-29
5.3.2 Switching on .............................................................. 30
5.3.3 Charging connection .................................................. 30

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
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5.4 Driving Procedures................................................................. 31
5.4.1 Driving forward and in reverse............................. 31-32
5.4.2 Corners……………….…………………………….........32
5.4.3. Slopes ................................................................. 33-35
5.4.4 Obstacles… ………………………………….................. 36-37
5.4.5 Overload Shutdown .................................................. 37
5.4.6 Switching off............................................................. 37
5.4.7 Parking ..................................................................... 38
5.5 Pushing the scooter............................................................... 38
5.5.1 Freewheel position of the scooter ............................. 39
5.6 Dissassembling the scooter for storage or transport.............. 40
5.6.1 Removing the seat.................................................... 40
5.6.2 Separating the scooter……………………………...40-43
5.6.3. Folding down the steering tiller ................................. 44
5.6.4 Handling and loading… ………………………………….... 44
5.6.5 Reassembling the scooter……………………………..45
5.7 Transporting the scooter fully assembled ......................... 45-46
6 Maintenance…………………………………………………………..47
6.1 Maintenance table................................................................. 47
6.1.1 Batteries ................................................................... 48
6.1.2 Replacing the batteries…………………………..... 48-49
6.1.3 Cleaning the batteries............................................... 49
6.2 Tires………………………………………………………………..50
6.2.1 Inflating the tires ....................................................... 50
6.3 Cleaning................................................................................ 50
7 Troubleshooting ........................................................................ 51
7.1 Troubleshooting table...................................................... 51-52
7.2 Automatic circuit breaker..................................................... 52
7.3 EMI malfunction .................................................................. 53
8 Technical specifications ........................................................... 54
8.1 Product specifications Fortress 1700 DT/TA................... 54-55
8.2 Authorized service and technical support ............................ 56

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
5
Introduction
Thank you for choosing a Fortress 1700 Series electric scooter.
Welcome to a growing community of people who use a scooter from the
Handicare product range.
Handicare stands for reliability and innovative technology, which results in
easily operated quality products.
This Manual
With this manual you can safely use and maintain the product. In case of
doubt always contact your dealer.
In this manual, the words "left", "right", "front" and "back" are used to indicate a
certain part of the product. This is viewed from the position of the user seated
on the scooter.
Please refer to the back cover of this manual to find to your scooter’s serial
number, model description, and your authorized Handicare dealer. This
information will be helpful for any product assistance that you may require in
the future.
front
left right
rear

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
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Product Labels
The product has the following decals and labels:
A. Charging connection
B. Circuit breaker
C. Tire pressure wheels
D. Freewheel lever
E. Tiller angle adjustment

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
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Product Labels
A.
Charging connection
For charging of the batteries, see 'Charging the batteries'.
B
.
Circuit breaker
The scooter has a safety circuit breaker feature. See
‘Automatic circuit breaker’.
C
.
Tire pressure
For tire pressure of the wheels, see 'product specifications’.
D.
Freewheel Lever
1. Lever in the full rear position (brake engaged):
The drive motor has been engaged: the scooter can be
electrically driven and the brakes are engaged when
the scooter is switched off.
2. Lever in the full forward position:
The drive motor is disconnected: the scooter can be
pushed manually.
F.
Tiller angle
adjustment
Adjust the steering tiller to obtain a position that is most
comfortable for you while driving. See ‘Adjusting the
steering tiller’.

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
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Symbols used in this manual:
CAUTION
Poorly executed procedures that can result in damage to
the product, the environment, or injury to the user.
ATTENTION!
Suggestions that help specific procedures to be carried out
more easily.
Consult the specified information source(s) first.
Disconnect the charger cord from the charging connection
of the scooter before doing any maintenance on the
scooter.

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
9
Service and Technical Support
For information concerning specific settings, maintenance or repair work,
please contact your dealer. He is always prepared to help you.
Ensure you have at hand:
•Model
•Serial number
This information is provided on the identification plate. See diagram below.
Identification plate
Product information can be found on plate (A). See: 'Identification of the
product' below.
Identification of the product
A. Model
B. Date of manufacture
C. Serial/Identification number
D. Maximum load
E. Usage: Indoors, Outdoors, or both

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
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Approvals
The product meets the following requirements:
• EN12184; 1999 Electrically powered wheelchairs and scooters, class B.
• ISO7176-8 Requirements for static, impact and fatigue strengths.
• ISO7176-9 Climatic tests for electric wheelchairs and scooters.
• ISO7176-14 Requirements and test methods for power and control systems
for electric wheelchairs.
• ISO7176-16 Requirements for resistance to ignition of upholstered parts.
The product has been EMC-approved (for electromagnetic compatibility) in
accordance with EN12184.
CE declaration
The product complies with the regulations of the Medical Devices Directive
and therefore bears the CE mark.
Use for intended purposes
(1)
The Fortress 1700 DT and TA scooters were developed for:
• The transportation of people weighing up to 350 lbs (DT), 300 lbs (TA)
• Use on pavements, groomed footpaths and cycle paths
• Use in and around the house
The dealer must give you clear instructions before you start operating the
product independently.
Your first test drives of the Fortress 1700 DT or TA are best carried out under
the supervision of an experienced dealer.
The Fortress 1700 DT and TA scooters are not classified as road vehicles and
therefore may not be used on the road (crossing over the road being the only
exception).
The Fortress 1700 DT and TA scooters have a maximum speed of 10 km/h
(6 mph).
ENSURE THAT YOU ARE FULLY ACQUAINTED WITH THE CONTENTS OF THIS
MANUAL BEFORE STARTING TO DRIVE THE FORTRESS 1700 DT or TA.
If you use the scooter in a dangerous fashion, or use the scooter for purposes
other than those for which it is intended, Handicare will accept no liability for any
personal injury or damage to property caused by such misuse.
( 1) Intended use, as specified by EN 292-1, means the use for which the technical product is
suitable according to the manufacturer’s declaration, including the manufacturer’s instructions in
the sales brochure. In the event of doubt, use is taken to mean the use as construed from the
design, construction and function of a product. The instructions contained in the user manual must
also be followed within the scope of intended use.

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
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Warranty: Fortress 1700 DT and TA
Handicare warrants to the original buyer that the new equipment sold by an
authorized Handicare dealer is, at the time of delivery to the buyer and for the
defined time periods (found below) following such delivery, free from defects in
material and workmanship and meets designed performance levels.
Handicare agrees that, during the defined time periods, it will either repair or
replace, at Handicare’s sole option, any part or parts of new equipment which
under proper and normal conditions of use proves to be defective or fails to
meet designed performance levels.
The warranty time periods for various components of the Fortress 1700 DT
and 1700 TA are defined as follows:
Component
Warranty Perio
d
Frame
Main Frame Weldment Lifetime
Tiller Framing and Steering
Structure
3 Years Non-Pro-rated
Seat Assembly 1 Year
Drive System
“Duro-Torque” Motor and Differential
(1700 DT)
3 Years Non-Pro-rated
Transaxle and 2-Pole motor (1700
TA)
2 Years Non-Pro-rated
Bearings for Differential (1700 DT) 1 Year
Electrical
Controller, Wiring Harnesses,
Electronics, Charger
2 Years Non-Pro-rated
Exclusions and Limitations
•Equipment modified other than by Handicare is not covered by this
warranty.
•Tires, inner tubes, plastic covers, basket, brake pads, motor brushes,
wheel bearings, chain, fuses, light bulbs, arm pads, and seat upholstery
are considered wear items and are not covered by this warranty.
•Cosmetic appearance of items will change as a result of use and are not
covered by this warranty.
•Items added to the equipment by the buyer or by a user are not covered
by this warranty.

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
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Warranty: Fortress 1700 DT and TA
Exclusions and Limitations Continued…
•Any damage to items added to the Handicare supplied equipment, caused
by the Handicare supplied equipment, is not covered under this warranty.
Any damage to the Handicare supplied equipment by the additional
equipment is also not covered by this warranty.
•Any use of the equipment outside the criteria published in the current
Handicare sales brochures, or beyond the manner, in which a prudent
person would normally use the equipment, will void this warranty (i.e.
abuse and misuse).
•Labour and shipping are not covered by this warranty.
•Any batteries supplied by Handicare are covered by the battery
manufacturer’s standard warranty.
Warranty Claims
All claims for warranty-covered parts under the above warranty must be
presented to Handicare by an authorized dealer within forty-five (45) days of
the event upon which any warranty claim is made. Handicare reserves the
right to refuse the warranty claim should the claim not satisfy the basic
requirements.
The foregoing warranty is exclusive and in lieu of all other express warranties.
Implied warranties, if any, including but not limited to the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, shall not extend beyond
the duration of the express warranty provided herein. Handicare shall not be
liable for any consequential or incidental damages whatsoever.
For all warranty inquiries, please contact your authorized Handicare
dealer.
Recommendations
Please complete the Handicare Warranty Registration Card. Mail it to
Handicare within 10 days of delivery of the equipment. This will assist
Handicare to initiate and to provide your appropriate warranty coverage.
Your equipment must receive an annual service inspection by an authorized
Handicare dealer within 30 days of the anniversary of the purchase date.

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
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1 General safety rules and regulations
Handicare accepts no liability whatsoever for damage or injury caused by the
failure to (strictly) adhere to the safety rules and regulations or else due to
carelessness during the use and cleaning of the scooter and possible
accessories. Depending on the specific operating circumstances or the
accessories used, additional safety instructions may be required. Please contact
your dealer immediately if you observe any potential danger during the use of
the product.
The user of the scooter (see under 'use according to
purpose') is at all times fully responsible for the fulfilment of
the locally applicable safety rules and regulations.
1.1 Labels and instructions on the scooter
Signs, symbols and instructions placed on this scooter comprise part of its
safety guidelines. They must never be covered or removed and must remain
present and clearly legible throughout the entire life span of the scooter.
• Immediately replace or repair illegible or damaged labels, symbols and
instructions. Contact your dealer with regard to this.
1.2 Technical specifications
The technical specifications must not be altered.
1.3 Modifications
Modifications to parts of this product are not permitted.
1.4 Safety
To avoid accidents and undesirable situations, it is of great importance to pay
attention to the following safety regulations:
Pay extra attention to driving on slopes:
-Never remove safety devices, such as anti-tip wheels
-Never drive the Fortress 1700 DT/TA up a slope with an angle
greater than the guidelines listed on page 34 of this manual.
-On slopes, always drive slowly and with great awareness.
-Never drive down a slope at full speed.
-Do not drive down slopes with loose gravel or a sandy surface,
because one of the back wheels might slip.
-Do not turn on a slope.

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
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-Never take a turn at full speed. Decrease speed when taking a
turn.
-When driving up a slope, assume a body position for increased
stability, as described in detail on page 33 of this manual.
- Ensure that no items of clothing hang loose as these could
become caught between the wheels.
- Ensure that your fingers do not get caught in the mechanism for
adjusting the angle of the steering tiller or the mechanism for
flipping up the armrests
You must adjust your driving according to these circumstances:
-Drive carefully on slippery surfaces resulting from rain, ice, or
snow!
-Drive more slowly in crowded environments.
-Do not use the scooter on uneven surfaces and/or ungroomed
footpaths and cycle paths.
-Ensure that the Fortress 1700 DT/TA does not come into contact
with salt water. Salt water is caustic and may damage the
scooter.
-Ensure that the Fortress 1700 DT/TA does not come into contact
with sand. Sand can affect the moving parts of the scooter,
resulting in unnecessarily rapid wear.
-Never operate the scooter if you are under the influence of
drugs, alcohol or medication that could affect your driving
ability.
-You must have sufficient visual acuity to be able to drive safely
in the scooter.
-It is obligatory to turn on the lights in case of reduced visibility.
The scooter has been equipped with brake lights that light up
when you brake.
-Only use the indicator lights to indicate an intended change in
driving direction.
-Only use the horn when it is necessary to warn pedestrians or
other road users of dangerous circumstances.
-Always remove the jack key from the jack key receptacle when
not driving the scooter, even if you plan to remain seated on the
scooter while it is parked. This will ensure that there will be no
accidental activation of the forward/reverse lever resulting in
unexpected movement of the scooter.
- Never place metal parts on top of the batteries: this may cause a
short circuit in the batteries, resulting in damage.

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
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- Do not carry any passengers: your scooter was specifically
designed to transport only yourself.
- Do not drive your scooter with the backrest reclined too far. It
may affect weight distribution and therefore the rearward
stability of the scooter, especially when driving on inclines or
encountering obstacles.
- Do not burden your scooter with any more load than can be
placed in the basket.
- Never hang anything from the handlebars.
- Never use your scooter to tow a trailer. The scooter was not
designed for this. It can cause serious damage to your scooter.
- Do not stand on the floor pan to reach objects.
- Do not place your feet close to the front wheel and fork when the
unit is moving. Always keep your feet on the rubber mat, rather
than against the front cover.
- Never operate the scooter with the plastic cover shrouds
removed.
- Never attempt to stand on the plastic cover shrouds.
- Any replacement of fuses on the scooter must be done by an
authorized Handicare dealer.
The scooter is electronically operated. Certain parameters have
been factory-set. These settings are designed to allow comfortable
and efficient use. These parameters cannot be changed.
The standard version of your scooter was tested in accordance with
the most stringent requirements for electro-magnetic interference.
When using a mobile telephone in the vicinity of a scooter with
special adaptations, you are advised to first switch off the scooter.
Your scooter may influence electromagnetic fields such as alarm
systems. If the electronics of the scooter is not properly shielded,
this may affect sensitive electrical appliances, such as shop alarms
and garage openers. The scooter has been tested for this. Should
any problems of this nature occur, please report these to your
dealer immediately.
- Take care in ultra-violet light: this may cause premature
deterioration of materials such as rubber, plastic and enamel.
- Be aware of any objects that may protrude from the unit that could
cause damage to your surroundings or to the unit itself.
- Keep your scooter away from open flames.
- Avoid extreme weather conditions or extremely wet conditions.
Maintain and store the scooter in a clean and dry state.

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
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2 General Description
The Fortress 1700 DT and TA are electrically driven scooters for general use
in outdoor and indoor environments.
The height of the seat is adjustable according to the leg length of the user.
The seat can be rotated and the armrests folded back by the user for ease of
getting on or off the scooter.
The steering tiller is adjustable to enable a comfortable driving position.
When driving at higher speeds, one should be extra careful. Slow down,
especially on sidewalks and in pedestrian areas.
The following should be kept in mind when using the scooter:
• A scooter is not a motorised vehicle in the traffic regulations sense. You
have the same rights and duties as a pedestrian.
• At all times, you are responsible for keeping your scooter in perfect working
order, so that driving the scooter is safe.
• The scooter is a technical product. Therefore, any repairs and maintenance
should be carried out by qualified personnel. If any work needs to be done,
you should contact your dealer.

Fortress 1700DT/TA
17
3 Main Components
The following main components are, or may be, installed on the scooter:
A. Seat.
This is where the user is seated
B. Backrest.
To support the back of the user
C. Head rest
To support the head.
D. Armrest.
To support the arms
E. Steering Tiller
The console and all operating keys and handles are located on the tiller
F. Lights
When driving in the dark the lights should be turned on
G. Turn Signals
To indicate a change in direction while driving
H. Detachable fixed mounted basket
For carrying personal items
I. Front wheel
Front wheels offer suspension
J. Front bumper
Protects the front wheel in case of a collision
K. Rear wheels
Rear wheels offer suspension
L. Anti-tip wheels
Wheels to prevent the scooter from tipping over backwards on slopes
(See next page for location of these components on the scooter)
Various features and components can be adjusted for optimum seating
comfort.

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
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4-wheel model:
F
G
E
D
H
J
C
B
K
A
I
L

Fortress 1700 DT/TA
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4 Adjustment options
The Fortress 1700 DT/TA seat offers a number of adjustment options to
increase sitting and driving comfort.
The following may be adjusted:
A. Seat height
B. Seat depth
C. Backrest angle
D. Armrest width
E. Armrest height
F. Head rest
G. Steering tiller
4.1 Seat adjustments
4.1.1 Adjusting the seat height
The whole seat may be adjusted in height up to obtain an optimal seating
position. This adjustment should be made by the dealer.
4.1.2 Adjusting the seat depth (sliding seat)
• See illustration (seat may vary slightly from illustration)
Adjust the seat depth as follows:
• Pull lever (A) up and hold.
• Slide the seat forward or back.
• Release the handle when the seat has
reached the desired position. Slide the
seat back or forward a little so that it
locks in place. This will set the seat
depth.
A

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4.1.3 Backrest adjustment
The backrest is angle-adjustable. The adjustment must be done as follows:
• Pull up the handle (A) while you are sitting on the seat.
The backrest will now automatically move forward.
• Push the backrest to the rear by leaning back until it is in a position that is
most comfortable for you.
• After adjustment, release the handle to secure the backrest in the position
you have chosen.
Attention:
Be aware when operating the handle when the seat is
unoccupied. The backrest is spring-operated and will fold
forward quickly and powerfully.
The backrest must be adjusted in such a way that your back
is properly supported while driving.
If the backrest is tilted too far backwards, this will negatively
influence the seating stability, especially on slopes.
Never drive your scooter with the backrest reclined too far
back.
A