Karma SOMA ECON 800 SERIES Owner's Manual

Manual Wheelchair Owner's Manual

Econ 800 Series

i

GENERAL WARNING

 DO maintain your chair well, in particular check the tire pressure since this

affects the efficiency of the brakes.

 DO make sure both brakes are applied before getting in or out of the chair.
 DO make sure both brakes are applied when the chair is not being pushed or

used.

 DO take care when climbing curbs or turning on slopes.
 DO avoid steep or uneven surfaces that may cause the chair to tip over.
 DO avoid soft surfaces because the casters may become bogged down.
 DO travel smoothly in all conditions.
 DO look well ahead to anticipate hazards such as furniture, doors, potholes,

etc.

 DO make sure that both feet are safely on the footrests and that clothing is

safely tucked out of the way so that it cannot get caught in the wheels.

 DO take care when traveling up or down or across inclines.
 DO keep both hands on the push handles to control the chair, if you are the

attendant.

 DO pay attention to keep the chair balanced.
 DO check the frame and components regularly and refer to this user guide

during and after the warranty period.

 DO tie-up the upholstery or replace which with a new one when it becomes

loose.

 DO lubricate the bearings regularly.
 DO equip with anti-tippers to avoid falling backwards.
 DO equip with a seat belt designed for disabled people.
 DO equip with "heel loops" for disabled people.
 DO be far away of flame, it might injury user and damage the chair.
 DO clean both hands after oiling the wheelchair.
 DO Not overload the chair in any circumstance.
 DO Not hang anything heavy on the back of the chair that could cause the

chair to become unstable, particularly when negotiating inclines.

 DO Not allow more than one user at a time.
 DO Not use with an unconscious patient.
 DO Not use other transport to pull the wheelchair.
 DO Not do "wheelies", since you my fall or tip over backwards and suffer a

severe injury.

 DO Not sit in the wheelchair within a moving vehicle.
 DO Not go too fast or turn too quickly.
 DO Not stand on the footplates when getting in or out of the chair.
 DO Not go down steps forward, whether solo or with an attendant.
 DO Not attempt to lift the wheelchair by any removable (detachable) parts.

Lifting by means of any removable (detachable) parts of the wheelchair may
result in injury to the user and/or assistant or damage to the wheelchair.

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 DO NOT use the wheelchair when the back is folded. This alters the centre

of gravity and may cause the wheelchair to tip backwards. The back should
only be folded for storage or transport of the wheelchair.

 DO Not hang anything on the back joint that could cause the backrest to fold

suddenly and may cause injury.

YOU AND YOUR KARMA SERVICE PROVIDER

 No tools are required for assembly. Your wheelchair should be assembled

by your authorized Karma dealer. Your authorized Karma dealer is also your
service provider. Unauthorized repairs, upgrades and add-ons will negate
your warranty. Anything wheelchair related that requires tools should be
done by your authorized Karma service provider. Your Karma service
provider has the necessary service/maintenance manual for your wheelchair.

 If you have any defective parts or lose any parts, please contact your dealer

for repair and/or replacement. Please only use parts authorized by Karma.
Use of parts that are not authorized by Karma will negate your warranty.

 Part numbers are listed on our bill of materials (explosion drawings), which

we give to our authorized dealers and service providers. Customers should
order parts through their dealer as well as all repairs and scheduled
maintenance.

 Customers should go to their dealership for all service needs to guarantee

their warranty is not nullified. Always go to an authorized service provider.
Unauthorized repairs will nullify your warranty. Procedures other than those
described in this manual must be performed by a qualified technician. They
also have the service manual with a complete list of maintenance required to
keep your Karma wheelchair in top performance. Check the warranty section
of this manual to find out what Karma guarantees and what maintenance
service and parts that are not covered by the warranty.

 Karma does not have an official list of service providers at this time. Please

contact your dealer for service. If you cannot contact your dealer, please
contact another authorized Karma dealer for service. If all else fails, contact
Karma directly via our website or give us a call and we can refer you to your
new service provider.

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CE MARKING

This wheelchair complies with the requirements of the Medical Devices Directive
93/42/EEC.

CAUTION:

● When prescribing wheelchairs for use by full or partial amputees (above or

below knee, single or double) or other conditions that affects the user's natural
center of gravity and might cause the wheelchair to tip or the person on the
wheelchair to fall off, we suggest contacting your therapist or dealer as well as
attaching anti-tippers, pelvic belt, or other additional safety accessories.

● When using the wheelchair, ALWAYS follow the Highway Code or your local

traffic regulations when outdoors and the guidelines written in this manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................. 1



1. PREFACE ............................................................................... 1

2. SAFETY .................................................................................. 2

3. INTENDED USE & PARTS ..................................................... 5

4. OPERATION ........................................................................... 8

5. INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE..................................... 19

6. OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES ........................................... 23

7. TROUBLESHOOTING .......................................................... 24

8. SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................ 25

9. CLEANING & RECYCLING .................................................. 26

10. WARRANTY ........................................................................ 27

1

1. PREFACE

Please carefully read this owner's manual before using the wheelchair. Improper use
of the wheelchair could result in harm or injury. Therefore, for safe and enjoyable
use of the wheelchair, please read this owner's manual.
 This owner's manual includes operation instructions for the aspects of the

wheelchair, unfolding/folding instructions and instructions on how to deal with
possible accidents.

 This owner's manual is written for Karma wheelchair: Econ 800 (SM-802.2).
 The symbols used in this manual are explained below. Pay special attention to

the parts marked with these symbols.

WARNING: Improper use could lead to serious injury or death.

CAUTION:

Improper use could lead to serious injury and/or
damage to your wheelchair.

SUGGESTION:

Follow these instructions to keep the wheelchair in
good condition.

 This manual includes the repair and maintenance chart as well as the warranty.
 If someone else uses the wheelchair, make sure that you give him or her this

owner's manual for his or her reference.

 As designs change, some illustrations and pictures in this manual may not

correspond to the wheelchair that you purchased. We reserve the right to make
design modifications without further notice.

2

2. SAFETY

2.1 Doorways

The safest way to operate the chair is on level floors that are free of obstacles.
Whenever possible use a ramp to enter or exit a facility. Keeping your hands on the
push rims will allow you to maintain maximum balance. Do not try to force yourself
over an obstruction by propulsion and never use the sides of a doorway to pull
yourself through a passageway.

2.2 Leaning

Do not lean over the side of your wheelchair since such an action may cause your to
lose balance and fall. (See Figure 2.1)

2.3 Navigating Inclines

 Never turn on a hill due to the danger of tipping.
 When assisting, go straight up a slope. If user needs to go down midway, walk

backwards until user is on level ground. (See Figures 2.2 and 2.3)

 Avoid stopping on an incline; it can potentially cause you to lose control of the chair.
 Do not use the brakes to slow down or stop the wheelchair; this could cause it to seize

up, causing you to lose control or fall out of the chair.

 Whenever possible, utilize help from an assistant/attendant while navigating inclines.

2.4 Kerbs

 Whenever possible get help from an assistant/attendant (if you have assistance make

sure that your chair is equipped with push handles).

 Avoid hard impacts when descending a kerbs. A hard impact could adversely affect the

chair.

 Never try to scale or descend kerbs that exceed a normal height.(30-50mm)
 Always be careful when climbing kerbs and never move up or down a kerbs in reverse

without an assistant.

2.5 Stairs

 Always use two or more assistants.
 Never go down steps forwards.
 Never use an escalator for transport, use an elevator.

2.6 Streets

 Always use extreme caution when crossing streets. Reflective tape on the chair and/or

your clothing will make you more visible to drivers.

 Avoid potholes and rough terrain that might cause the casters to become stuck. (See

Figure 2.4)

2.7 General

 Always make sure BOTH brakes are applied before getting in or out of the chair.
 Never stand on the footplates when getting in or out of the chair.
 Never carry more than one passenger. Karma wheelchairs are limited to one user.
 Use caution to assure your clothing doesn't get tangled with the wheels.

3

 When the user is opearting the wheelchair using the pushrim, please push the

wheelchair gently. DO NOT apply a sudden huge force on the pushrim. It could cause
the chair to tip over. Please refer to the figure below for the best grip points for using the
pushrim.

2.8 Transport

 Do not use other transportation to pull the wheelchair.
 Do not get transported on any vehicle while seated in your wheelchair. Karma doesn't

approve of any tie-down systems. Please transfer into seating approved by the
automotive (or other) industry and wear a safety belt.

2.9 Upholstery

 When cleaning the upholstery, use warm water and a mild soap.
 Upholstery cleaner/foam can also be used, but avoid other cleaning solvents.

2.10 Anti-tippers

Please purchase anti-tippers and always use them to avoid personal injury.

2.11 Maximum User Weight Limit

Refer to "Max. User Weight" in Section 8. SPECIFICATIONS. Loads exceeding
maximum capacity can damage your wheelchair and cause malfunctions yielding a
safety hazard. The warranty does not cover damage caused by improper operation
of the wheelchair.

2.12 Avoid General Misuse

 Please note that our "Owner's Manual" contains a number of cautions -- any vehicle can

cause injury if misused -- use within our guidelines and with reasonable care and your
safety will be increased. Your wheelchair will give years of safe use if used sensibly and
carefully. Be aware that careless use endangers your own safety as well as that of
others.

 Do not let children stand or play on the wheelchair. (See Figure 2.5)

4

Figure 2.1 Figure 2.2 Figure 2.3

Figure 2.4 Figure 2.5

5

2.13 Labeling

Please carefully read all the labeling on the wheelchair before driving it. Do not
remove them. Protect them for future reference.

3. INTENDED USE & PARTS

3.1 Intended Use

 The Econ 800 series (SM-802.2) is a self-propelled chair. That is, it can either be

pushed by an attendant or by the patients themselves.

 These wheelchairs are suitable for users up to 115 kg in weight. Hand brakes are

provided for both rear wheels.

 It has pneumatic tires for traction and comfort. It also has an extremely durable

aluminum alloy frame with tough accessories and does not suffer in dramatic extremes
of temperature (neither user nor attendant need to touch metal parts in normal use).

 The casters have PU tires for greater durability; pneumatic casters are available on

request.

 Rear wheels are 24 inches in diameter and solid PU tires are available on request.