Invacare MX Installation and operation manual

DEALER: THIS MANUAL MUST BE GIVEN TO THE USER OF
THE WHEELCHAIR.
USER: BEFORE USING THIS WHEELCHAIR, READ THIS
MANUAL AND SAVE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Owner's Operator And Maintenance Manual
Invacare MX
R

Invacare MX 2Part No. 1119240
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
DO NOT OPERATE THIS EQUIPMENT WITHOUT
FIRST READING AND UNDERSTANDING THIS
MANUAL. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND
THE WARNINGS, CAUTIONS, AND
INSTRUCTIONS, CONTACT A
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL, DEALER OR A
QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN BEFORE ATTEMPTING
TO USE THIS EQUIPMENT - OTHERWISE INJURY
OR DAMAGE MAY RESULT.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Part No. 1119240 3INVACARE MX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPECIAL NOTES ............................................................................... 4
LABEL LOCATIONS .......................................................................... 5
SECTION 1 - GENERAL GUIDELINES ................................................. 6
STABILITY...................................................................................................................................................... 6
OPERATING INFORMATION ............................................................................................................... 7
WEIGHT TRAINING ................................................................................................................................7
WEIGHT LIMITATION.............................................................................................................................7
SAFETY/HANDLING OF WHEELCHAIRS ......................................................................................... 8
SECTION 2 - SAFETY INSPECTION ................................................. 13
SAFETY INSPECTION CHECKLIST ................................................................................................. 13
MAINTENANCE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .................................................................................... 14
SECTION 3 - FRONT RIGGINGS ...................................................... 15
INSTALLING/REMOVING THE FOOTREST .................................................................................. 1
FOOTREST HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT ................................................................................................ 1
RAISING/LOWERING THE ELEVATING LEGREST ASSEMBLY ............................................. 16
SECTION 4 - ARMS ........................................................................ 17
USING FLIP BACK ARMRESTS ........................................................................................................... 17
SECTION 5 - SEAT AND BACK ....................................................... 18
REPLACING BACK UPHOLSTERY ................................................................................................... 18
REPLACING SEAT UPHOLSTERY ..................................................................................................... 1 8
SECTION 6 - REAR W EELS ........................................................... 19
REMOVING/INSTALLING THE REAR WHEELS .......................................................................... 19
SECTION 7 - FRONT CASTERS ....................................................... 20
ADJUSTING FORKS ............................................................................................................................... 20
REPLACING FRONT CASTERS ......................................................................................................... 21
SECTION 8 - W EEL LOCKS ............................................................ 22
WHEEL LOCK ADJUSTMENT ........................................................................................................... 22
SECTION 9 - SEAT-TO-FLOOR EIG T ........................................... 23
CHANGING SEAT-TO-FLOOR HEIGHT ....................................................................................... 23
SECTION 10 - OPTIONS ................................................................. 24
INSTALLING THE SEAT POSITIONING STRAP ......................................................................... 24
NOTES ........................................................................................... 25
LIMITED WARRANTY .................................................................... 27
CONTENTS
CONTENTS

INVACARE MX 4Part No. 1119240
SPECIAL NOTES
WARNING/CAUTION notices as used in this manual apply to hazards or
unsa e practices which could result in personal injury or property damage.
NOTICE
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS SUBJECT
TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
WHEELCHAIR USER
As a manu acturer o wheelchairs, Invacare endeavors to supply a wide
variety o wheelchairs to meet many needs o the end user. However, inal
selection o the type o wheelchair to be used by an individual rests solely
with the user and his/her healthcare pro essional capable o making such a
selection.
This wheelchair has not been approved as a seat sur ace to be used within a
vehicle o any kind. Always trans er wheelchair user to an approved vehicle
seat with the appropriate restraints or this application.
Rear anti-tipper kit number 1058836 can be purchased or this wheelchair.
Invacare strongly recommends the use o rear anti-tippers as an additional
sa eguard or the wheelchair user.
AS REGARDS TO RESTRAINTS - SEAT POSITIONING STRAPS - IT IS
THE OBLIGATION OF THE DME DEALER, THERAPISTS AND OTHER
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TO DETERMINE IF A SEATING RE-
STRAINT IS REQUIRED TO ENSURE THE SAFE OPERATION OF THIS
EQUIPMENT BY THE USER. SERIOUS INJURY CAN OCCUR IN THE
EVENT OF A FALL FROM A WHEELCHAIR. SEAT POSITIONING
STRAP KIT NUMBER 1004310 CAN BE PURCHASED FOR THIS WHEEL-
CHAIR. INVACARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THE USE OF SEAT
POSITIONING STRAPS AS AN ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARD FOR THE
WHEELCHAIR USER.
SPECIAL NOTES
SPECIAL NOTES
SPECIAL NOTES

Part No. 1119240 5INVACARE MX
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The wheel locks on this wheelchair have been
pre-set at the factory to comply with the
Veterans Administration functional Standard
8320 01 of the Federal Register, paragraph
3 2 4 5 3 If these wheel locks do not meet
your needs, follow instructions below
! CAUTION
Any wheel lock adjustments should embed
wheel lock shoe at least 1/8" into tire when
locked (3/16" on pneumatic tires)
INSTRUCTIONS FOR WHEEL
LOCK ADJUSTMENTS
1 Loosen wheel lock mounting fastener,
which runs through mounting bracket and
frame
2 Slide clamp toward rear wheel until wheel
lock shoe is embedded into tire material at
least 1/8" when handle is engaged to the
lock position (3/16" for pneumatic tires)
3 Tighten mounting fastener to secure
mounting bracket in desired location and
recheck lock shoe embedding
4 Inspect for correct locking action BEFORE
actual use
00078X021-0394
LABEL LOCATIONS
LABEL LOCATIONS
LABEL LOCATIONS
Crossmember
Lower Frame
Tube
LABEL LOCATIONS

INVACARE MX 6Part No. 1119240
SECTION 1 GENERAL GUIDELINES
GENERAL GUIDELINES
STABILITY
WARNING
The position o the ront casters, position o the rear wheels, as well as the
user condition directly relate to the stability o the wheelchair. Any change
to one (1) or any combination o the three (3) may cause the wheelchair to
decrease in stability. These adjustments MUST be per ormed by a quali ied
technician.
Caster Position Wheel Position User Condition
Caster Position  üü
Wheel Position ü ü
User Condition ü ü 
NOTE: When changes to the left hand column occur, follow across the chart and refer to the procedure
that is checked (ü) to maintain the proper stability, safety and handling of the wheelchair
Section 1 - General Guidelines includes the following:
Stability
Operating Information
Weight Training
Weight Limitation
Safety Handling of Wheelchairs
GENERAL GUIDELINES

Part No. 1119240 7INVACARE MX
OPERATING INFORMATION
WARNING
ALL Warnings and cautions in this manual must be ollowed unless other-
wise noted.
DO NOT TRAVERSE, CLIMB or GO DOWN ramps or slopes greater
than 9°.
DO NOT operate on roads, streets or highways.
DO NOT attempt to move up or down an incline with a water, ice or oil
ilm.
DO NOT attempt to ride over curbs or obstacles. Doing so may cause
your wheelchair to tip over and cause bodily harm to you or damage to
the wheelchair.
DO NOT stand on the rame o the wheelchair.
DO NOT use the ootplate as a plat orm. When getting in or out o the
wheelchair, make sure that the ootplates are in the upward position.
ALWAYS use the handrims or sel -propulsion. DO NOT grip the rear
wheels themselves.
DO NOT use parts, accessories, or adapters other than those authorized
by Invacare.
WEIGHT TRAINING
Invacare DOES NOT recommend the use o its wheelchairs as a weight
training apparatus. Invacare wheelchairs have NOT been designed or
tested as a seat or any kind o weight training. I occupant uses said wheel-
chair as a weight training apparatus, Invacare shall NOT be liable or bodily
injury and the warranty is void.
WEIGHT LIMITATION
The Invacare MX wheelchair has a weight limitation o 250 lbs. (114 kg.).
SECTION 1GENERAL GUIDELINES
GENERAL GUIDELINES
GENERAL GUIDELINES

INVACARE MX 8Part No. 1119240
SAFETY/HANDLING OF WHEELCHAIRS
Safety and Handling of the wheelchair requires the close attention of the wheelchair user
as well as the assistant. This manual points out the most common procedures and tech-
niques involved in the safe operation and maintenance of the wheelchair. It is important to
practice and master these safe techniques until you are comfortable in maneuvering around
the frequently encountered architectural barriers.
se this information only as a basic guide. The techniques that are discussed on the
following pages have been used successfully by many users.
Individual wheelchair users often develop skills to deal with daily living activities that may
differ from those described in this manual. Invacare recognizes and encourages each indi-
vidual to try what works best for him/her in overcoming architectural obstacles that they
may encounter, however ALL WARNINGS and CA TIONS given in this manual M ST be
followed. Techniques in this manual are a starting point for the new wheelchair user and
assistant with safety as the most important consideration for all.
STABILITY AND BALANCE
To assure stability and proper operation of your wheelchair, you must at all times maintain
proper balance. Your wheelchair has been designed to remain upright and stable during
normal daily activities as long as you do not move beyond the center of gravity.
Virtually all activities which involve movement in the wheelchair have an effect on the center
of gravity. Invacare recommends using seat/chest positioning straps for additional safety while
involved in activities that shift your weight.
DO NOT lean forward out of the wheelchair any further than the length of the armrests.
Make sure the casters are pointing in the forward position whenever you lean forward. This
can be achieved by advancing the wheelchair and then reversing it in a straight line.
COPING WITH EVERYDAY OBSTACLES
Coping with the irritation of everyday obstacles can be alleviated somewhat by learning how to
manage your wheelchair. Keep in mind your center of gravity to maintain stability and balance.
A NOTE TO WHEELCHAIR ASSISTANTS
When assistance to the wheelchair user is required, remember to use good body mechanics.
Keep your back straight and bend your knees whenever tipping the wheelchair or traversing
curbs, or other impediments.
When learning a new assistance technique, have an experienced assistant help you before
attempting it alone.
SECTION 1 GENERAL GUIDELINES
GENERAL GUIDELINES
GENERAL GUIDELINES

Part No. 1119240 9INVACARE MX
WARNING
DO NOT attempt to li t the wheelchair by any removable (detachable)
parts. Li ting by means o any removable (detachable) parts o a wheelchair
may result in injury to the user or damage to the wheelchair.
Always veri y that hand grips on the rear cane are secure PRIOR to use when an
assistant is used to propel or li t the chair. Check or any signs o looseness or
deterioration and i ound, contact a quali ied technician. DO NOT attempt to
move the wheelchair by pulling on the hand grips i they are ound to be unsecure
or have deteriorated.
PERCENTAGE OF WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
WARNING
To determine and establish your particular sa ety limits, practice bending,
reaching and trans erring activities in several combinations in the presence
o a quali ied healthcare pro essional BEFORE attempting active use o the
wheelchair.
Many activities require the wheelchair owner to reach, bend and transfer in and out of the
wheelchair. These movements will cause a change to the normal balance, the center of
gravity, and the weight distribution of the wheelchair.
Proper positioning is essential for your safety. When reaching, leaning, or bending forward, it
is important to use the front casters as a tool to maintain stability and balance.
SECTION 1GENERAL GUIDELINES
GENERAL GUIDELINES
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Reaching, Leaning and Bending - Forward.
WARNING
DO NOT attempt to reach objects i
you have to move orward in the seat
or pick them up rom the loor by
reaching down between your knees.
Position the front casters so that they are
extended as far forward as possible and
engage wheel locks.
Reaching, Leaning - Backwards.
WARNING
DO NOT lean over the top o the
back upholstery. This will change
your center o gravity and may cause
you to tip over.
Position wheelchair as close as possible to the
desired object. Point front casters forward to
create the longest possible wheelbase. Reach
back only as far as your arm will extend
without changing your sitting position.

INVACARE MX 10 Part No. 1119240
TIPPING
WARNING
DO NOT tip the wheelchair without assistance.
When tipping the wheelchair, an assistant should grasp the back of the wheelchair on a non-
removable (non-detachable) part. Inform the wheelchair occupant before tipping the wheel-
chair and remind him/her to lean back. Be sure the occupants feet and hands are clear of all
wheels and/or pinch points.
After mastering the techniques of tipping the wheelchair, use the following method to
tackle curbs, short stairs, etc.
SECTION 1 GENERAL GUIDELINES
GENERAL GUIDELINES
GENERAL GUIDELINES
TIPPING - C RBS:
Place foot on the step tube and begin to
tilt the wheelchair toward you. Apply a
continuous downward motion until the
balance point is achieved and the front
casters clear the curb. At this point, the
assistant will feel a difference in the
weight distribution.
WARNING
When lowering the ront casters o
the wheelchair, DO NOT let the
wheelchair drop the last ew inches
to the ground. This could result in
injury to the occupant and/or dam-
age to the wheelchair.
Roll the wheelchair forward and slowly lower the front of the wheelchair in one continuous
movement onto the sidewalk. Do not let the wheelchair drop the last few inches to the
ground. This could result in injury to the occupant. Push the wheelchair forward until the
rear wheels roll up and over the curb.
METHOD 1 - WHEELCHAIR WITH
STEP TUBES
Step Tube
ESCALATORS? SORRY!
DO NOT use an escalator to move a wheelchair between loors. Serious
bodily injury may occur.
STAIRWAYS? SORRY!
DO NOT carry an occupied wheelchair up a stairway. Serious bodily injury
may occur.