Mortuary Lift Stepper ERGO User manual

Operator Manual
2020 Edition

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Contents
1 Introduction and Features ---------------------------------------- 4
1.1 General safety instructions --------------------------------------- 5
1.2 Technical data of The Stepper® standard model ------------ 6
1.3 Technical data of the snap-on battery ------------------------- 6
2 Controls ---------------------------------------------------------------- 7
2.1 Diagram Front -------------------------------------------------------- 7
2.2 Diagram Back --------------------------------------------------------- 8
2.3 The swivel joint ------------------------------------------------------ 9
2.4 Control box ---------------------------------------------------------- 10
2.4.1 Button (P) for ascending/descending ------------------------- 10
2.4.2 Indicator light ------------------------------------------------------- 10
2.4.3 Speed switch -------------------------------------------------------- 11
2.5 Ascend button in upper handle -------------------------------- 11
2.6 Safety flap ----------------------------------------------------------- 12
2.7 Main switch --------------------------------------------------------- 12
2.8 Switching off -------------------------------------------------------- 12
3 Fitting and Removing the Battery ----------------------------- 13
3.1 Fitting the battery ------------------------------------------------- 13
3.2 Removing the battery -------------------------------------------- 13
4 Operation------------------------------------------------------------ 14
4.1 Ascending stairs ---------------------------------------------------- 14
4.2 Descending stairs -------------------------------------------------- 15
4.3 Please pay attention to ------------------------------------------ 17
4.3.1 Shift of balance ----------------------------------------------------- 17
4.3.2 Hooking in underneath the step ------------------------------- 17
4.3.3 Overload ------------------------------------------------------------- 18
4.3.4 The Stepper is not a rubber pad ------------------------------- 18
4.3.5 Inadvertent battery ejection ------------------------------------ 19
4.3.6 Failure to negotiate steps “square-on” ---------------------- 19

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4.3.7 Driving on a winding staircase ---------------------------------- 20
5 Charging the Battery ---------------------------------------------- 20
5.1 Battery charger ---------------------------------------------------- 21
5.1.1 Testing --------------------------------------------------------------- 21
5.1.2 Charging ------------------------------------------------------------- 22
5.1.3 Protective features, technical data ---------------------------- 23
5.1.4 Safety rules ---------------------------------------------------------- 25
6 Accessories and Liability ----------------------------------------- 26
6.1 QuickStand----------------------------------------------------------- 26
6.2 Pouch (Body Bag) -------------------------------------------------- 29
6.3 Straps------------------------------------------------------------------ 31
7 Warranty and Liability -------------------------------------------- 32
7.1 Warranty ------------------------------------------------------------- 32
7.2 Liability --------------------------------------------------------------- 32
8 CE Declaration of Conformity ----------------------------------- 33
9 Design Protection by Patents ----------------------------------- 33

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1. Introduction and Features
Congratulations!
With The Stepper® you have purchased a handy modular-
designed hand truck with an unladen weight of only 55 lbs.
Once you fit the snap-on battery, this simple hand truck becomes
a versatile all-a-rounder: a normal hand truck for general use on
level ground and a powered stair climber for use on steps and
stairs.
With The Stepper® climbing stairs has been reduced to the
essential: The Stepper® pulls itself up onto the step above and
lifts only to the necessary step height.
During descent the motor acts like an electric brake and the load
is brought down without “bumping”. It is also ideal for winding
staircases and across tight landings.
The Stepper® has a mechanical clutch, which will prevent damage
if the unit is used to descend the stairs with the controls in the
ascent position.
The unit also features electronic overload protection preventing
ascent with too heavy of a load.
The Stepper® has two ascending speed settings (slow and fast –
with a speed of up to 29 stairs per minute), plus additional
accessories.
In other words, an extra set of hands for the professionals!

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1.1 General safety instructions
In order to ensure that this product is used safely,
be sure that you read and understand the following
precautions fully and use the product only as
directed. Be sure to read these Safety Instructions
carefully before installing, connecting, operating,
maintaining, or inspecting this product. Follow all
the precautions and directions given here.
•Always ensure that there is no one beneath the load
•Always secure the load with the appropriate
straps/body bag
•Always wear skid-proof shoes –some stairs can be
extremely slippery
•Always wear shoes with steel caps
•Never reach into the lifting mechanism with your hands
if the battery is inserted
•At first practice using The Stepper® either unladen or
with a light load of 40-60 lbs.
•For all transportation remove battery to lighten the unit
and to prevent accidental operation in transit.
•Always use two attendants to stabilize the load while
tipping back while loading into a vehicle. Caution: The
Stepper is very unstable when balancing on the Quick
Stand wheels and is prone to tipping.

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1.2 Technical data of The Stepper®
Model
ERGO/UNI/FOLD
Capacity
375 lbs.
Maximum climbing
speed
29 steps/min
Weight
55 lbs.
Maximum step
height
8.5”
1.3 Technical data of the snap on battery
Fuse: Internal blow-out fuse (30 amps)
Plug-socket for charger: DC jack ø 2.1 x 9.5
Weight: 9 lbs.
Capacity: 5 Ah
Voltage: 24 VDC (2 x 12 VDC –5 Ah)
Battery cells: Sealed lead acid maintenance-free
and approved for air travel by DOT
and IATA

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2. Controls
2.1 Diagram –Front
Body board
Locking handle
Holes for straps
Main wheels
Folding foot plate
Control box

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2.2 Diagram –Back
Snap on battery
Back handles
Upper handle
(Swivel)
Ascending button (R)
Swing arm with
secondary wheels
Plug socket for charger
Main power switch
Safety flap
Drive unit
Ascending button (Q)

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2.3 The Swivel Joint
The necessary friction for the rotary joint is obtained
through multiple friction disks, which are compressed
simultaneously on the left and right sides. The lock must
be tightened sufficiently to avoid movement in use.
As a rule: The lock will be sufficiently tightened if a single
operator can tilt back the load from the upright position
without any handle movement.
Safety instruction: With heavy loads (over 200 lbs.) ensure
the lock is tightened especially firmly.
Locking handle
Swivel joint

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2.4 Control Box
2.4.1 Button (P) for ascending/descending
•Briefly press the push button to switch The
Stepper® to ascent mode or descent mode. See
section 4.1 Operation.
•If the button is pressed for more than 3 seconds,
The Stepper® will switch off.
2.4.2 Indicator light
•Shines green: The Stepper® is in ascent mode. (In
the ascent mode the push button Q or R in the
upper or lower handlebar is active. The lifting
mechanism operates when the push buttons Q or R
is pressed and stops when released (refer also to
chapter Operation [4.1])
•Flashing green: The Stepper® is in descent mode.
(The push buttons Q and R are not active now –
refer also to chapter Operation [4.2])
On/Off/Ascend/Descend/
button (P)
Indicator light
Speed switch

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•Constantly red: The Stepper® is in descent mode
and the support wheels move (fast) to the descend
position (takes a max. of 0.5 seconds –refer also to
chapter Operation [4.2])
•Flashing red: The Stepper® is overloaded. (Flashes
for 3 seconds and goes out –see also chapter
Operation [4.3.3])
2.4.3 Speed Switch
Use the speed switch to select either high or low speed –
this can only be used in ascent mode. (In descent mode
the descending speed is permanently set so that optimum
braking will always be secured –refer also chapter
Operation [4.2])
Low speed is advised for: training, heavy loads and in
awkward locations.
2.5 Ascend button in upper and lower handles
This button [Q] and [R] is only active in the ascent mode
and switches the lifting mechanism on and off.

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2.6 Safety flap
To start tilting the load, it may be necessary to use your
foot to assist in tilting. The axle of the conventional hand
truck is normally used for this purpose. With The Stepper®,
the swing arm with the support wheels, a wheel, or the
drive unit may be used to support by foot. The safety flap
is installed to prevent your foot getting jammed in by the
swing arm. If you press onto the lower part of the flap with
your foot all functions will be stopped.
Safety instructions: You avoid all risk if you switch on only
after tilting the load.
2.7 Main switch
The main switch is situated on the battery cover. The
power supply is switched on or off by way of the main
switch.
2.8 Switching off
Battery power is removed:
•By switching off the main switch on the battery
unit
•By removing the battery
•By pressing button (P) for 3 seconds
•Automatically after 10 minutes
NOTE: The main switch or removal of the battery provides
a higher degree of safety than switching off with the
button P or with the timer cut-out, as button P may be
touched inadvertently.

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3. Fitting and removing the battery
3.1 Fitting the battery
(1) Locate corner “A” on both sides and hook into “B” on
frame
(2) Snap battery forward to engages locking hooks
3.2 Removing the battery
Battery must be lifted vertically to disengage locking hook.
Do not hinge back.

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4. Operation
4.1 Ascending stairs
Press button (P) briefly until the indicator light shines
green continuously.
The Stepper® is now in the UP MODE.
Pressing the button (Q) or (R) in the upper handle or lower
handle, will operate the support wheels and will lift The
Stepper® over the step continuing until the button is
released.
Important:
On each cycle, immediately the main wheels rest on the
tread, roll The Stepper® back to touch the rise of the next
step up.
Note: Holding The Stepper® too flat, on stairs with open
risers, can also result in the support wheels being partially
trapped under the tread. This may result in excessive
pressure on the drive unit, causing it to go into overload
mode, and shutting down. Press button (P) to reset.

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4.2 Descending stairs
Press button (P) briefly again until the indicator light
flashes green. The Stepper® is now in the DOWN-MODE
and the support wheels will move to the descend position
automatically.
The ascending buttons Q & R are now out of function.
With the support wheels in the descend position The
Stepper® can be rolled over the step margin and the
support wheels will, under controlled conditions, lower
the machine onto the next step down. When the main
wheels land on the lower step, the support wheels
automatically rotate to the descend position for the
descent onto the next step own, all within approximately
half a second.
During the descent movement the indicator light changes
to constant red. After reaching the descend position the
light changes back to flashing green.

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Important:
As soon as The Stepper® rolls off the tread, ensure the
main wheels are kept against the rise until the support
wheels reach the descend position.
Note: Just before the suspension arm reaches the
descending position, the support wheels reach the upper
edge of the stair and lift The Stepper® approximately a ½
inch. This is normal and is used as an advance signal by
experienced drivers. As a mater of fact, you may already
advance while the support wheels are in contact with the
floor. This results in smooth continuous down-the-stairs
motion.
Note: In the case of closed stairs with short step, for
instance on the inside of a narrow circular staircases, the
support wheels may touch the stair step and The Stepper®
can move approximately 3 to 3 ½ inches forward. This also
is normal since The Stepper® will then be ready for
advancing again anyway.
Note: If the load is under 35 lbs. or the driver holds back
the load, the automatic movement to the descend position
will be slowed down.
Unlike all other stair climbers, the operator does not need
to control the electrics to descend, as the support wheels
operate automatically.

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4.3 Please pay attention to
4.3.1 Shift of balance
When ascending the balance of the load changes as soon as the
support wheels start lifting the load. Operators quickly become
accustomed to this and compensate
by tilting the handle.
Initially, before this operation becomes automatic, care should be
taken at the point where the support wheels take the load when
ascending. There is a forward movement of the machine, which is
easily compensated for by tilting the handle backwards.
Lowering backwards by 10° to 20° before the support wheels start
to lift eliminates any major forward movement.
4.3.2 Hooking in underneath the step
Under normal operating conditions, with the load in a
well-balanced position, the moving support arm is always
clear of the underside of the upper step. If The Stepper® is
laid back too far, the support arm will be tripped by
touching the tread it is on, causing it to rotate under the
upper tread. The electronics will go into overload
mode and will need to be reset.

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4.3.3 Overload
DO NOT OVERLOAD
Exceeding the load capacity will activate overload mode
causing the operation to stop, lowering the main wheels
slowly to the lower step. The indicator lamp flashes red for
about 3 seconds after which the ascend/descend button
will need to be reset.
Note: Once the battery has been discharged the unit will
go into overload even with loads below the specified
capacity.
4.3.4 The Stepper® is not a rubber pad
DO NOT use The Stepper® as a pad for dropping heavy
objects upon.
This is not possible with The Stepper® when the support
wheels are in the descending position.
The impact will be transmitted to the connecting bar via
the drive unit, which may result in fracture. With the
support wheels raised between the main wheels, throwing
heavy objects on the unit is possible in principle since the
pneumatic tires would absorb part of the impact, it is
nevertheless not recommended as it is detrimental to the
life of The Stepper®.

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4.3.5 Inadvertent battery ejection
For all normal operations the battery is held securely by
locking hooks.
A strong pull is required to remove it. Abuse of The
Stepper® by
moving backwards very quickly, and striking a high step, or
similar,
will result in the batter being ejected from its location.
3.6 Failure to negotiate steps “square-on”
Failure to negotiate steps “square-on” will result in
damage to the underside of the drive unit.

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4.3.7 Driving on a winding staircase
When you must drive on a winding staircase please pay
attention to the following:
When ascending, The Stepper® tends to move to the
inside of the staircase (any step a few inches depending on
the angle of the winding). Therefore, start as far as
possible to the outside when ascending.
When descending, The Stepper® tends to move to the
outside of the staircase. Therefor start as far as possible at
the inside when descending. However, if the winding
staircase is still too narrow it is possible to move sideways
by reversing - preferably at one of the wider steps.
5. Charging the battery
The battery-cells within the battery housing are
maintenance-free, sealed and rechargeable. Their
durability largely depends on the charge/discharge cycles.
It is possible for instance to extract far more than 1000
partial discharges from lead-acid batteries if total
discharge is avoided.
•For this reason, avoid total discharge. Recharge as
often as possible
•Lead-acid batteries are subjected to ‘self-
discharge’. For this reason, the snap-on battery
should be recharged after a maximum of three
weeks of disuse.
•The charger automatically switches to trickle
charging so overcharging is not possible.
•Do not leave the battery discharged or half
discharged. Always charge immediately after use.