ProActiv FREEWAY Troubleshooting guide

Operating Instructions FREEWAY
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MOBILITY MADE SIMPLE!
Operating instructions
Service booklet
FREEWAY
Steering attachment

Operating Instructions FREEWAY
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Contents
1Preface............................................................................................................................................... 3
2Legend................................................................................................................................................ 3
3CE Declaration of Conformity / other information............................................................................... 3
3.1Classification............................................................................................................................... 3
3.2Declaration of Conformity........................................................................................................... 3
3.3Manufacturer............................................................................................................................... 3
4Scope of delivery................................................................................................................................ 3
5Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 4
6Product description / purpose............................................................................................................. 4
7Acceptable usage and operating conditions / places of use.............................................................. 4
8Technical specifications ..................................................................................................................... 4
8.1Product weight............................................................................................................................ 4
8.2Load weight ................................................................................................................................ 4
8.3Obstacle height and turning circle.............................................................................................. 5
8.4Basic equipment......................................................................................................................... 5
8.5Service life .................................................................................................................................. 5
9Rating plate ........................................................................................................................................ 5
10Commissioning................................................................................................................................... 5
11Hand-over........................................................................................................................................... 6
12Safety instructions – prior to driving / use......................................................................................... 6
13Safety instructions – while driving / using .......................................................................................... 6
14Safety instructions regarding obstacles ............................................................................................. 7
15Safety instructions regarding dangerous locations and dangerous situations................................... 8
16Adapter & adaptation.......................................................................................................................... 8
17Functional elements........................................................................................................................... 8
17.1Service brake.............................................................................................................................. 8
17.2Wheel.......................................................................................................................................... 9
18Storage............................................................................................................................................. 11
19Transport.......................................................................................................................................... 11
20Malfunctions ..................................................................................................................................... 11
21Cleaning and care ............................................................................................................................ 11
22Maintenance..................................................................................................................................... 12
22.1General instructions.................................................................................................................. 12
22.2Service schedules..................................................................................................................... 12
22.3Proof of maintenance................................................................................................................ 13
23Disposal & Recycling........................................................................................................................ 13

Operating Instructions FREEWAY
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24Re-use.............................................................................................................................................. 13
25Warranty........................................................................................................................................... 13
26Liability.............................................................................................................................................. 14
27Appendix: Tightening torques and securing details ......................................................................... 15
28Appendix: Medical product passport / record of training.................................................................. 16
29Appendix: Hand-over certificate....................................................................................................... 17
29.1Required compliance criteria to authorise use ......................................................................... 17
29.2Check list for training the user.................................................................................................. 18
30Appendix: Inspection lists................................................................................................................. 19


Operating Instructions FREEWAY
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1 Preface
Dear Customer,
Congratulations on purchasing your new
PRO ACTIV product. You have bought a
quality product which has been especially
customised to meet your requirements.
We have put together some instructions about
its proper and safe use in the following
document. Please read these instructions
before using the product.
Throughout these operating instructions, the
operation of standard components is
explained. If you have individual solutions or
non-standard components on your product,
your dealer or we at PRO ACTIV would be
happy to deal with any questions you may
have about handling it.
If you have any further questions about this or
any of our other products, we would be glad to
be at your disposal.
Enjoy your trips and the best possible mobility.
Your PRO ACTIV team
2 Legend
The symbols used in these operating
instructions have the following meanings:
Manufacturer
Warnings and safety instructions
Serial number
Additional information
3 CE Declaration of Conformity /
other information
3.1 Classification
The FREEWAY steering attachment (referred
to as a "product" below) is classified as a class
I product.
3.2 Declaration of Conformity
PRO ACTIV Reha-Technik GmbH declares in
the context of an individual declaration of
conformity that the respective product has
been developed and manufactured according
to the relevant provisions of
EC Directive 93/42/EEC 2007.
If the product is adapted in a manner which
has not been agreed by PRO ACTIV Reha-
Technik GmbH, this declaration becomes void.
3.3 Manufacturer
PRO ACTIV Reha-Technik GmbH
Im Hofstätt 11
D-72359 Dotternhausen
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Web: www.proactiv-gmbh.com
4 Scope of delivery
The product may only be operated with an
adapter supplied by PRO ACTIV which is
suitable for the wheelchair.
The delivery includes the product configured in
accordance with the order, with operating
instructions including record of training / hand-
over certificate and inspection lists. You can
view the basic equipment in chapter "Technical
specifications". According to your order, the
product is, for example, equipped with a
special handlebar.
Please check that the delivery is complete after
you have received your product.
The product is tested to ensure it is completely
functional prior to shipping. If your product has
been damaged during transit, please contact
your dealer or PRO ACTIV immediately.

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5 Introduction
Before starting your journey for the first
time, familiarise yourself with these operating
instructions paying particular attention to the
safety information and hazard warnings
contained within them.
If you are not sure how to handle the
product or if technical faults occur, please
contact your dealer or PRO ACTIV before
using it.
When operating the product, the
wheelchair operating instructions must also be
observed. Information on limit values must not
be exceeded. If the values contained in the two
operating instructions differ, the lower limit is
the one which applies.
Never leave the product unattended.
6 Product description / purpose
The product is coupled to a manual wheelchair
as a steering attachment. The steering
attachment makes it much easier for the
wheelchair user and, if applicable, an
accompanying person, to ride over cobbles,
smaller raised areas, pot holes or unpaved
surfaces.
When driving downhill, the wheelchair user can
change the direction (using the steering) and
speed (using the service brake) via the
steering attachment. This allows high
temperatures which may develop when braking
with your hands on the pushrims to be
avoided. By supporting themselves on the
steering when riding on slopes, the wheelchair
user experiences significantly safer upper body
and seating stability without having to lean at
an angle in the wheelchair.
For safety reasons, the product may only be
operated by persons who
have been trained in its use by the dealer
or PRO ACTIV.
can move and control their hands and
arms so that they are able to operate the
controls and perform the full steering
movement without restrictions while
driving.
are physically and mentally capable of
safely operating the device in all operating
situations.
7 Acceptable usage and operating
conditions / places of use
Observe the instructions on permitted
operating conditions in the operating
instructions for your wheelchair which the
product has been adapted to.
The product has been approved for speeds
that also occur when using the wheelchair in
normal operation.
Avoid driving on unpaved or loose surfaces
(e.g. on loose gravel, in sand, mud, snow, ice
or through deep puddles of water), as this may
result in incalculable risks.
The maximum permitted load of the product in
its standard design is 120 kg towed capacity
and 10 kg payload. Individual customisation
can be made to accommodate a higher load;
this will be indicated on the ratings plate.
Please ensure that the load limit indicated on
the ratings plate is not exceeded when
transporting objects.
8 Technical specifications
8.1 Product weight
The total weight starts from 2.7 kg with the
basic equipment.
8.2 Load weight
Maximum load weight:
120 kg towing capacity and 10 kg payload

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8.3 Obstacle height and turning circle
Maximum drive-over / negotiable obstacle
height: 10 cm (must be ensured through an
appropriate adapter assembly / setting,
steering wheels must be removed
(recommended equipment of the
wheelchair: steering forks with quick-release
axle))
Turning circle:
approx. 3.2 m without manoeuvring back
and forth
approx. 2 m with manoeuvring back and
forth (much dependent on the number of
manoeuvres)
8.4 Basic equipment
In its basic equipment, the product comprises
one wheel with handlebar, handles with brake
fittings and rim brake.
8.5 Service life
The service life of the product is 6 years in
accordance with the medical products law.
9 Rating plate
The rating plate is located on the frame of the
product. The rating plate includes the precise
model, the serial number and other technical
specifications.
When contacting your dealer or PRO ACTIV
with regard to your product, please always
have the serial number and year of
construction on the rating plate at hand.
The rating plate includes the following data:
Manufacturer
CE marking
Operating instruction present for the
product
Serial number
10 Commissioning
The product will be handed over to you ready
for use by a PRO ACTIV dealer or a field
representative or by a product consultant from
PRO ACTIV. They will fit, if not already done,
the required fastening elements to your
wheelchair to hold the adapter and, if required,
any other accessories.
Finally, you will be fully instructed in the use of
the product based on the operating instructions
included in delivery. If you wish (recommended
by PRO ACTIV), you will be presented with a
record of training and a hand-over certificate
as written evidence and in addition the
operating instructions and any other
accessories for your own use. The form for the
record of training and the hand-over certificate
can be found in chapters 28 and 29.
It is recommended that you take along an
assistant to the training so that, if required,
they can assist you later when handling the
product.
Always adapt the speed and driving
manoeuvres to match your own abilities, the
external circumstances and the legal
regulations. You will get a feel for how to use
the product safely after a short time. Before
driving up or down slopes or hills with the
product, you should be proficient in the safe
handling of the product on the flat.

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11 Hand-over
The hand-over must be done by your dealer or
a field representative or by a product
consultant from PRO ACTIV. During the hand-
over, the record of training (chapter 28) and
the hand-over certificate including the
associated check list (chapter 29) must be
filled in. The dealer should send a copy of the
completed documents to PRO ACTIV for filing
either as a scanned file via e-mail, by fax or in
the post. These documents are available as
pdf files which can be completed in the
download area at www.proactiv-gmbh.com
under the link "more documents >>".
12 Safety instructions –
prior to driving / use
The operating instructions of the
connected wheelchair must be strictly
observed when using the product.
If your wheelchair is operated in
combination with the product, any existing anti-
tipping supports must be put into their passive
position or removed (see the wheelchair's
operating instructions). If the wheelchair is then
used without the product, the anti-tipping
supports must be brought back into their
operating position again to ensure tipping
stability.
Before every trip, check the condition of
the wheels (e.g. visual inspection of the spokes
and rims, check the tyres for damage, foreign
bodies and crack formation). If you have any
doubts, the wheelchair-product combination
must not be operated any further. In this case,
contact your dealer or PRO ACTIV.
Check tyre pressures at regular intervals.
Ensure that you comply with the
manufacturer's specifications which can be
found on the tyres. Tyre pressure which is too
low affects handling and has a negative effect
on the braking action for wheelchairs.
Before starting your trip check that the
product's brake functions. You are not allowed
to take trips if the brakes are not fully
functional.
Before every trip, check that the product is
firmly attached to the adapter and that the
adapter is firmly attached to the wheelchair.
The product may not be operated on the
wheelchair if any of the connections are not
tight and secure. In this case, contact your
dealer or PRO ACTIV.
Always ensure that your feet cannot slip
off the feet plate of the wheelchair when using
the product, if necessary by using a special
fixation device.
When travelling, always carry a repair kit
and tyre pump for repairs in event of
punctured / flat tyre. A alternative to this is a
pump spray that fills your tyre with a foam that
hardens in the tyre.
13 Safety instructions – while
driving / using
Use particular caution when approaching
stairs, edges, drops or other hazard areas.
When waiting at potential hazard areas
(e.g. while waiting at a pedestrian crossing, on
hills or slopes or at ramps of any type), always
hold down the service brakes or activate the
wheelchair's handbrake.
Do not ride parallel to slopes due to the
risk of tipping.
You may only drive on slopes where the
wheelchair-product combination can be safely
controlled by steering and braking of the
product.
Due to the increased turning circle, it can
be difficult to turn in buildings, in front of or in
lifts or other buildings, as the standard in such
buildings assumes a maximum turning circle of
1.5 m.

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Do not attach objects (carrier bags, etc.)
to tthe product handlebars. These could
prevent safe operation of the product while
driving.
When driving on areas which are used for
pedestrians, observe the maximum permitted
speed (walking speed 6 km/h) and keep a
sufficient distance (at least the width of a
wheelchair) from the kerbs or other obstacles
and other road users.
Avoid driving on unpaved or loose
surfaces (e.g. on loose gravel, in sand, mud,
snow, ice or through deep puddles of water),
as this may result in incalculable risks.
When travelling on poorly maintained
paths (e.g., large gravel, potholes) there is an
increased risk of puncturing your tyres as well
as tipping.
If you encounter new driving situations
which are unknown to you, approach them with
great care. If you consider that the risk is too
high, you must immediately abort the driving
manoeuvre and, if required, call for help to
assist you in extracting yourself from this
situation.
Operating the product can affect other
devices, for example theft protection barriers in
department stores.
By performing regular checks, ensure that
the safety bolts of the adapter are always in
the correct position while driving (see operating
instructions "Adapter & adaptation").
When driving, never jerk the handlebars to
the left or the right, as this may cause the
wheelchair-product combination to tip over
sideways in certain circumstances.
While driving, never grab onto the
wheelchair wheels, in the area of the product
wheel or into other rotating parts; if you do you
may cause injuries.
Only brake the product using the service
brakes or the hand rims of the wheelchair.
During long trips, especially when
travelling downhill, the wheel rim and the
brakes of the product may heat up. Therefore,
do not touch the brakes or the wheel rim during
or immediately after the trip (e.g. when
detaching or loading the product).
If the situation allows it, the speed should
be reduced by carefully applying the service
brake. Abrupt braking can cause the upper
body to fall forwards which can thereby result
in injuries or loss of vehicle control.
The product is only designed to be used
to transport persons with limited mobility and
must not be used for any other purpose,
e.g. by playing children or to transport goods.
If the weight load on the product wheel
falls (e.g. when driving on slopes) or when
driving on loose / slippery surfaces, the braking
action of the wheel may be considerably
reduced. The driving style and speed should
be adjusted so that the product can be safely
stopped at all times using the brakes.
Make sure that cables cannot be kinked or
can catch up somewhere. This could cause
damaged to them which could lead to the
brakes not working correctly.
14 Safety instructions regarding
obstacles
Driving on steps with the product is
forbidden.
Obstacles like curbs, for example, should
always be negotiated driving forwards and
always using the minimum speed required.
The maximum obstacle height which can
be negotiated is 10 cm. This value can,
however, be reduced due to the specifications
of the type of wheelchair or its settings.
Therefore, you should observe the values
given in the wheelchair's operating instructions
or the restrictions dependent on the settings.

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When driving over or passing obstacles, it
is important that you avoid any product or body
parts catching on the obstacle as this may lead
to falling causing serious injuries to the user
and third parties as well as damage to the
product.
Always drive over curbs or other obstacles
so that you cross them to the front or at right
angles. If you drive at them on an angle, or
only have one rear wheel on the obstacle,
there is an increased risk of tipping over to the
side which can result in serious injuries to the
user and third-parties as well as damage to the
product and the wheelchair.
15 Safety instructions regarding
dangerous locations and
dangerous situations
The operator of the product determines the
route to be driven taking the operating
instructions, their driving knowledge and
physical abilities into consideration.
The personal driving skills are particularly
important in the following dangerous locations
which are provided as examples; the product's
user must use their judgement before driving in
such locations:
quay walls, landing and berthing locations,
paths and locations close to water,
unsecured bridges and dykes.
narrow paths, slopes (e.g. ramps and
driveways), narrow paths on a slope,
mountainous routes.
narrow and / or steeply sloping paths along
main roads or near cliffs.
routes which are covered in leaves, snow
or ice.
ramps and lifting equipment on vehicles.
When driving in a circle or turning on hills
or downward slopes, there may be an
increased tendency to tip over to the side due
to the changes in the centre of gravity. Always
perform these driving manoeuvres with
increased caution and only at slow speed. If
required, the driving manoeuvre must not be
performed or only with the help of an assistant.
When crossing main roads, intersections
and level crossings, extreme caution is
needed. Crossing rails in the road or at level
crossings must never be undertaken while
driving parallel, otherwise the wheels could
become caught which would result in the
wheelchair and the product being unable to
manoeuvre.
When driving on ramps and lifting
equipment on vehicles, extreme caution is
needed. When lifting or lowering a ramp or the
lifting equipment, the service brake of the
product must be operated or the handbrake of
the wheelchair must be activated. This
prevents rolling away.
The grip of the tyres on the ground is
reduced in the wet. There is an increased risk
of slipping. Adjust your driving, braking and
steering behaviour accordingly.
16 Adapter & adaptation
Where necessary and ordered, a suitable
adapter for your wheelchair is included with the
delivery.
Please read the operating instructions and
assembly instructions "Adapter & adaptation"
before using the product.
The product may only be adapted and
detached on dry, stable and flat surfaces.
17 Functional elements
17.1 Service brake
A rim brake is mounted on the product. Where
possible, driving in a manner that allows you to
reduce your speed gradually if requireded.

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The brakes are operated using the brake lever.
Figure 1: Brake lever
You will be instructed on the way the brake
works and how to operate it during the hand-
over / training. Later on, you can also get
information from the component
manufacturers' operating instructions
enclosed, or if needed, by asking your dealer
or PRO ACTIV. The operating instruction from
the component manufacturer can also be
downloaded online:
Shimano components:
http://si.shimano.com
(Subject to changes to the link provided by the component
manufacturer.)
or in the download area of http://www.proactiv-
gmbh.com
In the event of abrupt hard braking, there
is a risk that you might fall forward with your
upper body and thereby cause injuries to
yourself.
Please make sure that the braking
surfaces on the rim and the brake pads on the
rim breaks do not come into contact with oils or
greases which could otherwise impair the
braking effect. If rims or brake pads do come
into contact with oils or greases, the brake
pads must be replaced and the rim must be
professionally cleaned with brake cleaner
(e.g. Weicon surface cleaner).
You can find further information in the
instructions of the brake manufacturer.
17.2 Wheel
To reduce the packing dimensions, the wheel
of the product can be removed.
In order to remove the wheel, first of all the rim
brake needs to be unhinged. For this purpose,
pull the sleeve to the side and press both
brake arms together in the upper area
(figure 3). Now the cable can be disconnected
(figure 4).
If you cannot disconnect the cable, reduce the
tension by adjusting the cable length on the
brake lever (figure 2).
Figure 2: Brake lever with option to adjust the cable
length
Figure 3: Sleeve pulled to the side and press the
brake arms together
Press the brake arms
together
Sleeve pulled
to the side
The length of the cable
is changed by turning
Brake lever