English (US) User Manual
Contents
1. o falling Practicing with a helper will give you experience in e knowing when you will need help in the future Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 13 WHIRLWIND a lt UVC USER MANUAL Pressure Relief This section is for riders who e Do not have full feeling in their bodies or e Have poor blood circulation in their lower body or e Have a history of pressure sores or e Are at risk of developing a pressure sore Why is pressure relief important i e A pressure sore can develop in as little as 20 minutes if j you have been sitting on the wrong surface e Pressure sores can develop on any part of the body e Pressure sores can result in infections and complications that are among the most common causes of death for wheelchair users worldwide e Factors that contribute to the development of pressure sores include prolonged unrelieved pressure over bony areas of the body shear force heat moisture friction and trauma Stage 4 Pressure Sore At Stage 4 the sore extends into muscle tendon or even the bone People with full feeling in their buttocks and legs frequently adjust their sitting position to relieve the discomfort that can result from pressure after sitting only a few minutes in one position If you do not have full feeling in your buttocks and legs it is important that you shift your weight while riding so that you are not seated in the same position for too long When you are seated your p2. other person to fit a hand between your buttocks and the cushion of your chair without too much effort Side to Side Weight Shifts Do this once on each side Get next to a horizontal surface such as a desk table bed or other surface which is low enough for you to lean on Rest your forearm and hand on the surface and lean on it Then push with your other hand against the opposite side wheel push rim so you lean farther This will lift your buttocks up off the seat slightly Lean on table and push up OR put your hands on the wheels push rims and lean to each side lifting your buttocks off the surface first on one side and then on the other OR just lean as far as possible to either side OR just lean to each side Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 17 WHIRLWIND PM USER MANUAL Lean back Leaning Back Weight Shifts You can relieve pressure if you are able to lean back far enough to lift your buttocks up off the seat as shown a Fo ee ae ecoeoeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee K RO De Te If you can wheelie safely do so with your back to a chair bed or couch Tip your chair back so your push handles are resting on the support This will take the weight off your buttocks an When finished lean forward while you pull _ es back on your wheels to tip your chair upright ue again Lean back and rest on a chair If you can t wheelie h
3. Page 44 Page 34 Bearings Page 43 Page 40 Page 41 Page 46 47 caster wheels caster barrels and rear wheels with oil Lubricate Wheel Locks with oil see notes on recommended oil to use locks are not holding chair in position OR when wheel Clean lubricate and inspect your RoughRider for pe eA on paved roads 2 3 times year otherwise i aon Page 43 pivot and pivot tube with oil see notes on recommended oil to use Tire Pressure Check tire pressure Add air when needed see notes on recommended oil to use Adjust to correct position Lubricate moving parts Wheel locks locks become difficult to lock Cleaning and aaa damage every 2 3 months if living in rough rural Tighten nuts and bolts Noisand Boks During Cleaning and Routine Inspections SA Thorough Bearing Maintenance Clean and repack Basic Bearing Maintenance Lubricate bearings in Check for damage wear and dirt Clean or replace as Upholstery necessary Page 38 Tighten nuts Every other month OR when wheel Inspect and tighten spokes to true the wheels Spokes Every other month OR when spokes are broken or loose OR if wheels wobble when spinning Routine S environments where you are riding in dirt rather than Lubricate footrest pivot folding stabilizer pivots spoke threads X brace with grease see notes on recommended grease to Bearings Page 35 use 2 3 times year if living in rough ru
4. Push Up If you have good strength in your arms you can do a push up by putting your hands on the wheels or push rims and then pushing up until your buttocks are off the cushion Push Up Forward Weight Shifts Lean forward so your body rests on your knees and the weight is lifted off your buttocks gt Lean forward You can also try putting your feet on the ground lock your brakes first to allow you to lean even farther forward and take more weight off your buttocks Feet on ground If you find that when you lean forward you tetas cannot sit back up without assistance try one of prse e P OR iodewiit these alternate techniques j o around back posts wrists around the back posts before leaning forward page 16 www whirlwindwheelchair org Make loops by sewing or tying pieces of webbing strong cloth or soft thick rope about 30cm or 12 long to make a circle Hook one epee loop over each push handle and hook your wrists through the loops before you lower your chest down to your lap With practice you might be able to pull yourself back up to sitting Maintenance and Repair OR Use extension i straps Lean forward and rest your arms and upper body on a table or desk OR lean forward on a table If you choose to use this technique you should check or have someone else check to make sure that your weight really is off your buttocks It should be possible for you or the
5. also want to move your rear wheels forward Shorter Back Height Some manufactures may be able to customize the back height for you if you prefer a shorter back height For Taller Riders If you are taller than 1 8m 6 ft you may need to make some modifications to make the chair fit better This is especially important if you do not have full feeling in your body In order to bear more weight under your thighs and less on your buttocks to prevent pressure sores you can e Adjust footrests to their lowest position e Add dense foam under your normal cushion to lift you up if your thighs are still not bearing weight e Adjust your wheel position backward to stabilize your higher center of gravity e Ask your manufacturer or local metalworker to make a higher backrest for you A higher backrest may be more comfortable and support you better Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 9 OUG NRider USER MANUAL Optimal Riding for Amputees If you do not have legs you may want to e Move your rear wheels back to prevent yourself from tipping backward e Remove the footrest s to minimize the weight of the chair unless you use the footrests to carry loads or get in and out of the chair Calf Strap and Lap Belt You may want to add a calf strap to your RoughRider to keep your feet from slipping backward off the footrests You can add a calf strap by wrapping a piece of material such as webbing or heavy cloth
6. changes the stability of the chair and may cause tipping Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual ae I www whirlwindwheelchair org USER MANUAL Your RoughRider The RoughRider wheelchair s innovative design helps you ride more easily and safely e Over rough ground without tipping forward e Over soft surfaces without the front wheels getting stuck e Down and across slopes with minimal effort and much less risk of tipping The RoughRider is compact tough and has a comfortable seat The RoughRider s folding frame makes travel easy on buses and automobiles The RoughRider was designed with few removable components to minimize the loss of parts The RoughRider was also designed for easy repair and maintenance using commonly available parts and tools www whirlwindwheelchair org page 1 ROUON Rider USER MANUAL Who is the RoughkRider forg To avoid potential injury the RoughRider should only be used by someone who can meet the following criteria Pressure Management The single most important criterion If you have limited or no sensation feeling you must be able to manage the pressure on your body to use the RoughRider safely e g proper techniques for self care pressure relief skin care A pressure ulcer can form after only 20 minutes of sitting without pressure relief You must always have an appropriate high quality pressure relief cushion and know how to care for it to use with the RoughRide
7. cleaned replace the entire bearing Front wheel bearings bicycle bearings Replace balls if broken or cracked If the wheel still does not move easily inspect cup and cone for damage If the surfaces that the balls roll on are obviously rough these parts should be replaced If you need help a bicycle mechanic should be able to do this Cone Cup Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 37 USER MANUAL Upholstery seteecccccccccccccececcccccocoocooooo IMPORTANT ceceeoeooooococococccccccccceeo Upholstery that is worn unevenly or otherwise damaged can be dangerous as it e Can cause uneven pressure on your buttocks or legs e Can cause you to sit in an uncomfortable position e Can rip suddenly and cause you to fall out of the chair By inspecting your upholstery regularly you will know when you need to replace your upholstery Your upholstery will not last as long as the wheelchair and will have to be replaced over time Make sure all bolts or screws that hold the upholstery in place are there Replace any missing bolts to make your upholstery last longer and prevent injury from upholstery failure It is important to keep the upholstery clean and dry because dirt and moisture sweat food drink dust mud or other substances can cause the upholstery to wear more quickly or rot Soil dust mud etc can contain abrasive materials which may wear the upholstery away and cause it to wear out much more quickly than if it is
8. for loose spokes is to pluck each spoke with your fingernails If a spoke makes a sound noticeably lower in pitch than the other spokes it should be tightened If a spoke makes a sound much higher in pitch than the other spokes it may be too tight and should be loosened To check the wheel s alignment lift the wheel off the ground and spin it while you look across it from one edge Your wheel should turn freely and smoothly with no wobble You can also use a stationary object like your frame to see if the wheel stays the same distance away while spinning If the rim is bending or wobbling to one side of the wheel tighten spokes on the other side of the bent part of the rim to center the rim A bicycle mechanic will be able to do this if you need help To make sure your rear axle is tight push sideways on the wheel rim The wheel should not wobble around the axle The wheels should not touch the back tubes or rub against your clothes Tighten the nut s on your rear axle to eliminate the wobble Make sure the wheel rotates easily if the wheel does not rotate easily the nut is too tight You may be able to check the wheel s alignment while seated in your chair by taking your weight off the wheel and suspending your wheel in air while spinning it eee eee reer reer rere rere rere reer rere rere rere rere eee eee eee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ee i Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 41 page 42 gt Remove tire and
9. you to know how far you can lean forward in your chair without tipping it over or falling out of it You must learn how far you can lean while still being able to return to an upright sitting position Try the following exercises with your helper on hand to assist you and keep you from falling m Fd r 1 Lean Forward 2 Lean Backward Why lean forward Lean forward to prevent tipping backward when you go e Up hills ramps e Over curbs or up stairs e Over obstacles such as thresholds e Down steps curbs in a backward position Leaning forward when going uphill page 12 www whirlwindwheelchair org Why lean backward Lean backward to prevent falling forward or tipping forward when you go e Downhill e Down steps e Over curbs Leaning backward also distributes more weight on the rear drive wheels and less on your front caster wheels which e Gives you better traction on uneven ground e Makes it easier to roll straight on a side slope Why lean sideways Lean sideways to prevent you and your chair from tipping over sideways when you e Travel across the side of a slope e Turn ona hill or ramp Maintenance and Repair Leaning back when going downhill _ ee Leaning sideways when going across a hill To help you learn how steep a slope up down sideways you can handle without tipping over practice on slopes and uneven terrain with someone who will help keep you from i
10. OUgNRider USER MANUAL OuUghRider USER MANUAL Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual Copyright 2007 by Whirlwind Wheelchair International First Edition June 2007 3 Written by Alida Lindsley amp Carol Maddox Contributions Chris Howard amp Ralf Hotchkiss Editors Joan Rogin amp Marc Krizack Whirlwind Wheelchair International San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Avenue SCI 251 San Francisco CA 94132 4163 USA Phone 415 338 6277 Fax 415 338 1290 E mail info whirlwindwheelchair org Dear Wheelchair Rider Congratulations on your new Whirlwind RoughRider Now you are part of a global network of wheelchair riders who break society s rules on where we should ride what we should become and what obstacles we can overcome together The RoughRider is the culmination of the inventiveness of over 300 wheelchair users in over 22 countries who gave direct input on the design Their imagination was sparked from their own daily experience using wheelchairs in the rough conditions where they live From the huts of central Africa to the squatter cities of Nicaragua to the rural plains of the USA wheelchair riders are getting out into the world and proving that they can get things done This is a chair you can work on I hope you ll take your RoughRider apart soon get to know how easy it is to work with and learn to maintain it to last for decades In this wheelchair you will go places where most w
11. able in all circumstances Whirlwind recommends EXTREME CAUTION when traversing uneven surfaces and slopes ALWAYS use an assistant when necessary Whirlwind is not liable for bodily injury resulting from use of the RoughRider Users travel AT THEIR OWN RISK and Whirlwind recommends using good judgment and caution before traveling over obstacles or on rough uneven sloped terrain Please be safe and AVOID INJURY page 2 www whirlwindwheelchair org Roughkider Specifications Rear Wheel Dimensions Rear Wheel amp Caster Barrel Bearings Front Wheel Bearings Rear Wheel Position Adjustment seat fabric will be narrower than effective seat width R oughRider specifications numbers are approximate Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 3 OUO a R ider USER MANUAL RoughRider Components Side Frame Back and Seat Upholstery Cushion Rear Wheel Wheel Lock Footrest Caster Barrel Caster Fork and Caster Wheel 9o oeooocoocoocooocoosooocoooooooo IMPORTANT eeccooccoocooocooccooccooccoocooooo Upon receiving your RoughRider please make a note of how the components are adjusted so that you can easily adjust them in the future It is recommend that you write down the following critical measurements and refer to them when performing inspections or maintenance on your RoughRider Seat Width in measured between inside edges of side frames Seat Height in measured from floor to front edge of seat Footr
12. around the footrest tubes A seat positioning belt may be useful to improve your control and keep your buttocks seated in the wheelchair A lap belt can also help you feel more secure when riding your wheelchair You can add a lap belt by attaching two strips of soft material such as webbing to the guide tubes the inner curved tube on side frame or to the back tubes and connecting the strips together with a buckle eee cerecevecececececececcecececece WARNING Pee rere revevevececcccvcecececececececes Prevent areas of high pressure It is very important when using both the lap belt and the calf strap to prevent the strap material from creating areas of high pressure If you use a calf strap or lap belt make sure to routinely check the skin of your lap and the back of your legs and feet for signs of pressure sores Refer to the Basic Riding Skills section for more instruction and information about limited feeling and skin checks page 10 www whirlwindwheelchair org WHIRLWIND lt pele USER MANUAL Know Your Capabilities and Limits The first step in learning how to ride your RoughRider wheelchair is to know its capabilities and limitations To avoid injury you also need to know your own capabilities and limitations This knowledge will help you decide what you can do on your own and when you will need to ask for help Geta Helo er Find someone who can help prevent you from oh a falling or tipping over while you p
13. ased bearings Penetrating oils should only be used for cleaning After cleaning with kerosene or a penetrating lubricant repack the bearing with grease see Maintaining Your Bearings section Apply oil to each of the following parts one drop at a time until the area is saturated and the part moves smoothly X brace pivot tubes center pivot and folding stabilizer pivots Bearings Rear wheel caster Spokes Seat tubes and side frame wheel and caster barrel Put a tiny drop on each spoke When chair is folded rub candle where it enters the nipple wax onto the contact surfaces between seat tubes and side frame The wax will make folding easier and prevent the paint scraping off Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 43 USER MANUAL Maintaining the correct tire pressure e Increases the life of the tires saving you money e Decreases the rolling resistance and saves you energy e Keeps your wheel locks working properly Check tire pressure by pressing with your thumb across the width of the tire For average pressure you should be able to barely depress the tire about 5mm 3 16 in The correct tire pressure will be different depending on different conditions Higher pressure harder tires helps the chair move faster but is less comfortable is harder to push on uneven terrain and can be slippery on wet pavement Lower pressure softer tires is more comfortable on uneven ground but the tire is more vulnerable to ge
14. ave someone help you tip your chair back onto a chair bed or sofa The easiest way is for a helper to sit on the chair bed sofa and tip you back until your push handles are resting on the helper s lap OR get a helper to tip you back on a chair page 18 www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Maintenance and Repair Moving Around On flat smooth ground the best way to push your chair is by using the push rims If you need more power on hills ramps or uneven ground you can push on the tires or on the tires and push rims together Experiment with other techniques as you get used to your RoughRider Pushing Forward res aoe Sete 1 Grab the push rims with your thumbs along the inside top edge of the push rim with your fingers wrapping around the push rim from the outside 2 If you can t grasp the push rims you can push against them with the heels of your hands Pushing partly on the tires can help Gloves can protect your hands and improve your grip You can also wrap inner tubes around the push rims for better grip Rubber band material made for slingshots also provides good grip If you don t have gloves you can try wrapping cloth strong tape or a piece of inner tube around the palm of your hand This may help you get a better grip making it easier to push the chair Pushing Uphill When going up a slope you may roll backward when you take your hands off the pu
15. back tilted position helps keep your trunk upright e Seat tilt helps you resist falling forward out of the chair e g when you are stopped suddenly by a bump Standard chair with little seat tilt RoughRider with Rider can reach farther back to push and can sit upright with less effort Rider slumps forward and uses effort to sit Cambered Rear Wheels Cambered wheels tilt inward at the top of the wheel and outward at the bottom The RoughRider has approximately 3 degrees of camber Why have cambered wheels e More stability side to side because the chair is wider at the bottom e Easier to push the push rims because they are in line with your shoulders closer to you and angle outwards slightly a ee a Pees e a ee COCO OCOCOCOCECOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOOCOOCEE Footrests The RoughRider s footrests e Are adjustable to accommodate users of different heights e Fold out of the way for easier transfer page 8 www whirlwindwheelchair org Common Modifications For Shorter Riders Shorter Seat Depth If your upper legs are shorter than 40 7mm 16 in as measured from back of pelvis to back of lower leg you can shorten the effective seat length by e Asking the manufacturer or a local metalworker to shorten the seat tubes at the front and to make custom seat fabric to fit the new sized tubes e Adding foam behind your back so that you are sitting further forward you may
16. e any missing nuts Center wheel i oe in fork Remove or add washers page 54 www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Basic Riding Skills Rear Wheel Rubs on the Side Frame Cause 1 Your RoughRider will pull to one side if the axle bolt is loose If the axle bolt is loose in the axle block the weight of the rider on the seat will cause the wheels to lean in at the top If they lean far enough the wheel might rub against the side frame friction will act uke a brake on dii wheel and cause your RoughRider to turn toward that side a Solution Tighten the axle bolt Replace any missing washers or nuts If the hole in the axle socket has become too large and too loose move your wheels to a different axle position Cause 2 The wheel is bent If the wheel rim is bent you can usually fix I it by adjusting the spokes Ja Solution Adjust and tighten the spokes as shown in Spokes section If the wheel rim is bent a lot you must straighten it before adjusting the spokes Cause 3 The axle block is bent relative to the frame Solution Re align axle block as shown in Rear Axle is Out of Alignment section Frame is Misaligned If one of the side frames leans inward while you are riding the chair the chair may turn away from that side The side frame of the chair leans inward when the ends of the seat tube on the same side of the chair are bent inward Reinforcement Welded Under Seat Tube Solution Th
17. e tip of a knife e Clean all parts with kerosene making sure to get all of the dirt out A brush such as a toothbrush can also be helpful e Allow to dry then repack reassemble bearings with as much bearing grease as possible e Replace the seals Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 35 WHIRLWIND USER MANUAL Cup and balls Thorough maintenance for front wheel bearings 2 3 times year if in rough environment time year otherwise e If caster fork has slots Take the wheel out of the caster fork by loosening nuts until the wheel drops out of the fork If the caster fork does not have slots Take the wheel out of the caster fork by loosening nuts and screwing cones toward one side until axle is off center enough to pry out of fork e To disassemble bearings unscrew the cones outward away from wheel until balls fall out e Clean all parts with kerosene e Allow to dry then replace the balls and reassemble bearings with as much bearing grease as possible Dipping the balls in grease will hold them in place and make assembly easier page 36 www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Basic Riding Skills Repair or Replace your Bearings If after being cleaned and repacked the bearings still do not move easily you will have to replace either the balls or the whole bearing Sealed bearings in rear wheel hub and caster barrel If the bearing still does not move easily after being thoroughly
18. e to lift yourself up to the seat 4 Slide into your seat 5 And adjust your position Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 23 30 JO lt x USER MANUAL 1 Flip the footrests up against the side frames 2 Pull up on the seat fabric until the chair sides come together 3 It may be helpful to have a piece of rope or cord an old inner tube a strap a strip of cloth or an elastic shock cord to tie around the side frames to hold them together so the chair will stay folded when it is picked up Ta cl x cl cl x cl x lon ve page 24 www whirlwindwheelchair org Riding Public Transportation Buses Maintenance and Repair How to ride The type of bus will determine how you ride the bus To get on the bus enlist two or more helpers to carry you on board OR drag yourself up the stairs Your chair can be put in the back of the bus or on the roof of the bus Even if it is possible to ride the bus in your chair it is better to sit in the bus seat if you can because it is usually safer Keep your chair cushion with you at all times to prevent loss A wheelchair rider in Nicaragua gets three helpers to lift her and her RoughRider in through the back of the bus She has to tell them what part of her chair they should grip to pick her up The push handles and side frame Not by the rear wheels or I ll end up on my head E Wheelchair riders always have the right to use pub
19. egrees page 20 www whirlwindwheelchair org Transferring out of your RoughkRider Maintenance and Repair 1 Figure out where you want your legs to be If you can use your legs to hold some of your weight you will probably want to keep them in front of and underneath you so you can stand up and turn in the direction you need to go 2 Move your feet first If you can t use your legs to hold some of your weight you might want to move your feet over so they are in front of where you are transferring to so you won t have to drag them when you move your body 3 Scoot yourself forward to the Push up with your hands arms push against edge of the seat the wheel the side frame or the seat cushion to lift your buttocks and move yourself p gt forward to the edge of your seat aS 4 Get your Get your hands set Put one hand on the far hands set edge of the seat you are moving TO Keep your other hand on the wheelchair you are lt moving FROM 5 Lift up and swing over Using both hands to lift your body up swing yourself over your wheel and onto the other chair 6 Readjust If you land in a bad position readjust yourself Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 21 WHIRLWIND ag OUL USER MANUAL Transferring into your RoughRider 2 Get your 3 Lean forward lift up 4 Readjust hands set and swing over 1 Adjust your legs Transferring from your RoughRider to the f
20. elvic bones put pressure on the muscles tissues and skin underneath them Skin requires a constant flow of blood and when too much pressure is placed on the skin for example when a person is seated in the same position for too long the blood cannot flow to the skin and without blood the skin can die This causes pressure sores which can take a very long time to heal and can even result in death An infection very similar to a pressure sore can also develop from a cut or scratch that hasn t been properly cared for and is in an area of high sitting or lying pressure It is very important to take measures to prevent pressure sores page 14 www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Basic Riding Skills Maintenance and Repair How to Prevent a Pressure Sore Use a pressure relief cushion If you have limited feeling in your buttocks you should use a good quality cushion made from firm foam that is highly resilient and springs back when compressed Be sure to replace the cushion when it starts to show signs of wear signs of wear indicate that your cushion is not relieving sitting pressure as well as it should Do pressure relief exercises Lift your weight off your seat for 10 60 seconds at least once every 10 20 minutes see following pages for how to do pressure relief exercises If you have poor circulation and or decreased feeling in your legs and buttocks you should do longer and more frequent weight shifts if you have feeling in yo
21. est Height Right in measured from front edge of seat to back edge Left in of foot plate page 4 www whirlwindwheelchair org RoughRider Features Long Wheelbase Small diameter caster wheels fit under the footrests resulting in a longer distance between the rear wheels and caster wheels without making the chair longer overall The small wheels also allow you to maintain a low knee height so that your knees can fit under tables What are the advantages of a longer wheelbase E e Prevents tipping better forward stability when traveling over uneven terrain such as rocks or uneven dirt roads e Easier to push because more weight is on the rear drive wheels and less on your front caster wheels which gives you better traction on uneven ground and makes it easier to roll straight on a side slope _ Why have a foldable X brace e Chair folds flat for easy storage and transport If your chair does not fit under or behind the rear seat of a van or bus you could be charged double or triple for transport e Chair width can be easily changed by substituting a different size X brace and upholstery Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 5 OUG a R der USER MANUAL Pneumatic Rear Tires Most RoughRiders come with all terrain pneumatic tires mid to heavy weight that fit on standard wheel rims 24 x 1 75 in However you might prefer light weight tires and rims if you will be mostly riding indo
22. fficiently tight e Check your tire pressure If your tires are under inflated your brakes may slip To adjust your wheel locks Peeeteeeeetteeeestteeeeeteeeeeeteeeentget e Make sure that the wheels are sufficiently inflated before adjusting e Loosen the bolt that holds the tube clamp tight around the side frame tube e Move the wheel lock into a functional locking position and retighten the clamp If the wheel locks are hard to operate and push too much into the tires the wheel locks are too close to the wheel Move them further away from the center of the wheel page 40 www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Basic Riding Skills Spokes Loose or broken spokes can cause a wheel rim to bend A few loose spokes will not necessarily make riding more difficult however they may allow a wheel to collapse when going over a curb or a big bump and can also make other spokes break more easily since there will be more tension on them Maintaining your Spokes To check for and tighten loose spokes go around the wheel squeezing pairs of spokes together with your fingers e Ifa spoke gives when you pull it gently it needs to be tightened Tighten loose spokes at the nipple where they meet the wheel rim with a spoke wrench turning each one a little bit at a time e Ifa spoke does not give at all it may be too tight Loosen it by turning the spoke nipple the opposite direction Another method for checking
23. heelchairs get stuck You ve probably already dreamed of trips to the park and even out to the wild places If you re hoping bring home a big fish or just make it down a rough sidewalk without getting thrown Ill bet you ll have a great trip In your RoughRider you ll go more places do more things keep riding for years We look forward to hearing about your adventures Please stay in touch Check for pressure sores and keep your wrench in your shirt pocket Ralf Hotchkiss The RoughRider s design is the culmination of ideas and innovations of wheelchair builders users and experts from around the world who promote the independence of wheelchair riders sn Thelma Ramos of Chinandega Thelma Ramos of Chinandega Nicaragua Nicaragua Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual i I www whirlwindwheelchair org OUG N R der USER MANUAL WARNING DO NOT USE THIS WHEELCHAIR WITHOUT FIRST gt READING AND UNDERSTANDING THIS MANUAL OTERWISE INJURY AND OR DAMAGE TO THE WHEELCHAIR MAY OCCUR PLEASE PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE BOXES LABLED WARNING CAUTION AND IMPORTANT Whirlwind Wheelchair International San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Avenue SCI 251 San Francisco CA 94132 4163 USA Phone 415 338 6277 Fax 415 338 1290 E mail info whirlwindwheelchair org Table of Contents Who is the RoughRider for And RoughRider Specifications 2 3 RoughRider Components 4 RoughRider Fea
24. ibutor or an experienced Whirlwind RoughRider user They should be able to show you how to perform different maintenance and repair tasks i In an emergency situation you may be able to e Drive the wheelchair with a flat or completely missing tire by leaning your weight away from the missing flat tire though this will quickly damage the wheel rim e Drive the wheelchair without one of the front casters by leaning your weight away from the missing wheel It is always a good idea to carry an inner tube puncture repair kit and a bicycle pump with you in case of emergencies Whenever possible you should also carry an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver You should also keep spare parts and tools available in your home for easy access Spare parts should include bearings tubes nuts and cushions Tools you should have in your home include a second wrench a small hammer a spoke wrench and a knife www whirlwindwheelchair org Page 31 USER MANUAL Maintenance Schedule Routine maintenance can help prevent breakdowns and excessive wear It will make your chair last longer Here is a calendar showing when to do basic maintenance tasks For how to do the specific maintenance go to the corresponding detailed descriptions Complete What to do description on page RoughRider part Check for cleanliness or breakdown of foam and structure Clean when needed Check your skin condition daily Cushion Page 33
25. ighten You will have to adjust your footrests while not in your chair or get someone else to help you page 50 www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Basic Riding Skills Handgrips Loose handgrips can cause serious injury if they slip off while someone is pulling the chair especially pulling up stairs or curbs Check to make sure your handgrips are tight by pulling on them as if you are trying to remove them If you can pull the handgrips off they must be re glued using strong glue A very good glue is heavy duty contact cement that is made especially for installing automobile weather stripping If strong glue cannot be found remove the handgrips completely and be cautious when lifting the chair by the bare handles Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 51 WHIRLWIND UO FIIFALOS USER MANUAL Troubleshoot If your RoughRider Does Not Roll Straight If one wheel has more resistance than the others your chair will turn to the side to which that wheel is attached This turning occurs because the wheel is rotating slower on that side as if you were braking or pulling on it This resistance will also make you work harder when pushing because you will have to compensate for this unevenness Check to see if the chair rolls in a straight line Find a flat area with as few bumps as possible Roll your RoughRider at a medium speed while trying to push equally on each wheel Let go withou
26. is repair requires two people Clamp the square tube cross tube in a vise Slide two long 50 80cm strong thick walled tubes over the ends of the bent seat tube until they are both touching the square tube At the same time both people should carefully push or pull in the opposite direction that the seat tube bent Continue until the seat tube is straight Hammering the ends of the seat tube outward can correct the problem If the side frame bends inward again get a good welder to re align the entire X brace and reinforce both seat tubes by welding in reinforcing rods under the seat tube Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 55
27. kept clean Moisture can cause the upholstery to rot and the fasteners which hold the upholstery to the frame to rust If the upholstery stays wet it can also stretch Maintaining your Upholstery Inspect your upholstery 1 time month and look for tears wear dirt or any metal parts sticking through the upholstery that could injure you You can clean your upholstery by removing it from the chair Wash the upholstery with mild soap and water Allow the upholstery to dry thoroughly before putting the fabric back on the wheelchair You can also wipe the upholstery down without removing it from the chair If you wipe the upholstery be careful not to get the seat screws and other movable parts of the wheelchair wet page 38 www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Basic Riding Skills Maintenance and Repair Repair or Replace your Upholstery Upholstery stretches The upholstery should be tight when the chair is open As fabric stretches over time the RoughRider s seat will get wider Your RoughRider should not get significantly wider than its intended width If your seat width is wider you will have to work harder to push your RoughRider since you will have to reach farther out to grab the push rims If your seat is more than 40mm 1 6 in wider than the original seat width you may be able to adjust your seat fabric back to the original size by sewing new seams along the edges to make it narrower or by moving the holes inward U
28. lic transportation We also have the responsibility to help make public transport more accessible The more we ride as difficult as it may be the sooner public transportation will be truly accessible Ralf Hotchkiss For information about how to help make buses and transportation systems more accessible contact Access Exchange International www globalride sf org 112 San Pablo Avenue San Francisco CA 94127 1536 USA 415 661 6355 Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 25 USER MANUAL Maintenance and Repair P a neem reemiee ee IMPORTANT eoesocococcocococococococcococeo Routine maintenance can e Prevent breakdowns and excessive wear making your chair last longer go farther and cost less to repair e Prevent injuries or long term damage to your muscles that result from sudden failures e Make your chair more comfortable and easier to use Some basic maintenance and repairs are explained in this section so that you will be able to keep your RoughRider rolling as long as possible A bicycle mechanic may be able to help you with both maintenance and repair if needed Itis a good idea to get to know a good mechanic who is close to where you live Explain to the mechanic how you use your wheelchair and use the information in this manual to help your mechanic understand how a wheelchair works After reading this section of the manual it is a good idea to discuss anything that is not clear with the manufacturer distr
29. loor It is easiest to transfer to or from the floor if you have a support other than your chair to hold onto such as another chair bench step or bed Be sure to lock your wheels 1 Get set Put your chair across from the support with enough room for your body to fit between your chair and the support Put one hand on the support surface Put the other hand on your RoughRider cushion side frame or wheel to push up and off 2 Push Up l l and mor Push up with your hands to lift your buttocks off your forward wheelchair seat and move yourself towards the edge of your wheelchair seat 3 Lower l l yourself Keep supporting yourself with your hands as you lower yourself towards the footrests 4 Move onto the floor Once you are sitting on the footrests you can move your buttocks off the footrests and onto the floor page 22 www whirlwindwheelchair org Maintenance and Repair Transferring to your RoughkRider from the floor 1 Get set Lock your wheels and put your RoughRider next to the support with enough room between them for your body Lean forward and lift your buttocks up by either pushing down on the seat as shown in the picture or by pulling up using the support surface or the backrest tubes of the wheelchair until you are sitting on the footrests 2 Get onto footrests 3 Push up Lean forward and push as shown in the picture or pull on both the support surface and your RoughRider seat or fram
30. on e If the axle is straight and fits in the hole but the wheels are still not pointing in the same direction the axle block might not be straight You may need to bend it back into alignment Check the angle of the axle block by putting multiple bolts into the block and measuring their angle by referencing a perpendicular surface Get the help of a mechanic with a very large adjustable wrench clamp the frame close to the axle block Check very carefully for cracks in the frame after making any bends Weld shut and reinforce any cracks Check angle by a OS NT referencing to a l Clamp frame perpendicular close to axle surface block Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 53 USER MANUAL Bent Caster Barrels Have someone sit in the chair or put something nearly equal to your weight in the seat then look to see if the caster barrels are straight by checking whether the barrel and the side frame are parallel with each other and at a right angle to the ground If a caster barrel is not vertical the caster wheel will be pulled in the direction that the barrel is tilted and the chair will turn to that side Solution Re align the caster barrel Get the help of a mechanic with a very large adjustable wrench to bend the caster barrel so that it is parallel with the side frame and perpendicular to the ground Check very carefully for cracks in the f
31. ors or in well paved urban environments WT E Why use pneumatic air filled rear tires Because wider sturdier pneumatic tires provide better e Shock absorption air filled inner tubes absorb bumps better than standard hospital wheelchair tires that are made of solid rubber e Durability thicker knobbier tires last longer on rough roads than standard wheelchair tires that are thin and have little tread e Repair and replacement options pneumatic tires are available wherever bicycle parts are sold and eliminate the need to search for special wheelchair tires Solid rubber tire inserts may be an option to avoid punctures Wheel Locks Parking Brakes Stabilize your chair when it is stopped for easier and safer transfers reaching weight shifting etc Parking brakes should not be used to slow the chair because it will quickly wear down the tread of the tires Zimbabwe Caster Wheels Why use Zimbabwe caster wheels e The flexible rubber design provides a smooth ride over rough ground including cracks stones and other small obstacles e The wide wheel floats over soft ground without getting stuck e The V tire profile reduces the sticky contact area of the tire so that it swivels easily on hard surfaces page 6 www whirlwindwheelchair org Adjustable Rear Wheel Position The RoughRider s rear wheels have five positions Why have an adjustable rear wheel position An adjus
32. ose fasteners allow unwanted extra movement in the chair and this movement makes pushing your chair more difficult Loose fasteners also make other parts like the brakes hard to use Tightening loose nuts and bolts will prevent parts from getting lost or broken and will help your RoughRider roll more easily Tightening Nuts and Bolts Inspect your RoughRider for loose nuts and bolts If loose tighten them with a wrench The center pivot bolt of the X brace should not be tight but the locknut used to keep the bolt from falling out should be very secure and hard to turn You should be able to hold one caster wheel down and lift the other 2 cm 3 4 in above the ground with little effort Lock nuts or split nuts should be repaired if you notice they are coming loose See the Split Nut repair section for a solution You should not have to use too much force to tighten a nut If tightening is difficult then the nut may be cross threaded on the bolt If you tighten a cross threaded nut you can ruin the threads of the bolt and that might make it difficult to remove the nut later page 48 www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Basic Riding Skills 4 cai n Repairing or Replacing Nuts and Bolts If a bolt cannot be repaired it should be replaced but some repairs are S7 Je ey S possible A l Rounded bolt head or nut File two opposite sides of the bolt head f or nut until they are flat enough to ge
33. oughRider User Manual page 33 WHIRLWIND USER MANUAL Maintaining your Bearings Basic Maintenance every month OR when you feel your chair slowing down and you don t have time to do more e Lubricate your caster wheel caster barrel and rear wheel bearings with oil Me Recommended bearing grease for thorough maintenance One of the best types of bearing grease is water resistant boat trailer ball bearing grease Automobile ball bearing grease is very good but is less water resistant page 34 www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Basic Riding Skills Thorough maintenance for rear hub and caster barrel bearings 2 3 times year if in rough environment time year otherwise e To remove the bearings from the hub remove the wheel from the wheelchair and take the axle bolt out e Reinsert the axle bolt at an angle so that the tip of the bolt contacts the inside face inner race of the bottom bearing see above left picture Gently tap on the head of the axle bolt as you move the bolt s tip around the hole of the bearing until the bearing falls out Hammer lightly do NOT hammer with force Turn the wheel over and remove the other bearing The same process can be used to remove the bearings from the caster barrel If the bearings will not come out put some light oil not penetrating oil around the bearings and try again later e Once the bearings are removed carefully pop the seals off with th
34. r Head and Trunk Control The RoughRider s sling type backrest may not be suitable for you if you have weak or absent trunk muscles as you may not have enough muscle support to maintain a desirable riding position Using the RoughRider with inadequate trunk control could lead to the development of scoliosis curvature of the spine If you are not able to support your head independently you should not use the RoughRider as it does not provide any head support Size and Fit The RoughRider is designed for riders with hip widths between 31 5 48 5 cm 12 5 19 in and an upper leg length longer than 40 7 cm 16 in The length measurement is taken while seated and measures from back of pelvis to back of lower leg With some standard modifications however the RoughRider may be suitable for riders outside of these ranges See end of section for more information Seat widths may vary depending on manufacturer Rider Weight The RoughRider is designed and rigorously tested for riders up to 220lbs in weight Riders who weigh over 220 Ibs should not use the RoughRider because the wheelchair may be unstable and tip over Where can you go in your Roughkider Obstacles and slopes The RoughRider is designed to perform well on some rough surfaces and provide for independent navigation of some obstacles Because of the great variety of surfaces and obstacles you will encounter Whirlwind s does not claim that the RoughRider will be st
35. r 2 cm 3 4 in above the ground with little effort e Check to make sure that there is a good locknut nylock or split nut to keep the X brace center bolt from falling out Another option for a locknut is to use two nuts to make a jam nut Thread the first nut onto the bolt Thread the second nut onto the bolt and tighten it firmly against the first nut to create a locked nut e Lubricate and manipulate the X brace to loosen the joint page 52 www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Basic Riding Skills Rear Axle Out of Alignment A chair will roll with much greater resistance due to the scuffing on the ground caused by one wheel pointing in or out toe in or toe out Solution Measure the distance between the rear wheels at their front and rear edges Pick a point half way up the wheel even with the axle to make the measurement If the two distances are within 6 mm 1 4 in of each other the wheels are ok If the distance of either measurement is more than 6mm 1 4 in then do the Measuring the distance between the rear wheels at following front and back of wheel e Check to see whether the axle bolt is bent If itis bent replace it If the bend is minor the axle can be straightened by hammering it on an anvil If it is not bent then e Check the fit of the axle in the axle block hole If the axle bolt fits loosely the axle hole may be deformed You may have to move your wheels to a different axle positi
36. ractice riding ERETON A o in your new RoughRider Itis recommended that Have your a7 your helper be with you at all times while you helper hold a practice strap under the push h The helper should stand where he she can catch andles you or the chair and stop you from falling The safest way this can be done is to have your helper hold a strap or rope looped under the push handles This configuration minimizes the stress on the helper s back should he or she need to catch your chair Wear a Safety Helmet Until you are experienced in using your wheelchair we recommend that you wear a safety helmet The best helmets will protect the back portion of your head but do not restrict your vision HAAN www whirlwindwheelchair org Page 11 WHIRLWIND gt UC USER MANUAL Lock Your Wheels Why should you lock your wheels Locking your wheels so they can t move easily makes it easier and safer to reach stretch and bend over Make sure the tires are fully inflated and the brakes are adjusted to hold the wheels tightly How to lock your wheels e Grab the wheel lock lever e Pull the level up and all the way back if the wheel locks are adjusted correctly the brakes should push in a bit on the tires If the wheels are properly locked it will be very difficult if not impossible for the wheels to roll e To unlock the wheels push slightly out and then down on the lever Shifting your Weight It is important for
37. ral environments 1 time year otherwise page 32 www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Basic Riding Skills Bearings Cy Maintaining your bearings will make them last longer and will help your chair roll more easily How to Make Your New Bearings Last Longer Pack bearings with as much bearing NI grease as possible See Thorough Bearing Maintenance section for how to pack bearings with grease Install bearings with a washer made of UU felt on outer sides of bearings under a 7 C steel washer to prevent dust and dirt lt S 1 from entering bearing N Recommended oil for basic maintenance Heavier oil is better The best oil to use is 90 or 140 weight gear oil the next best is 20 weight electric motor oil fi MOTOR L VOIL wor A a uona r ian Do NOT use e Automotive engine oil The detergent in automotive engine oil will mix with water e Common penetrating household lubricants and degreasers like WD40 should not be used Use of penetrating lubricants can damage the seals and remove grease Bearing life will be significantly shortened if you use your chair with ungreased bearings Penetrating oils should only be used for cleaning After cleaning with a penetrating lubricant repack the bearing with grease see Thorough Maintenance section Light sewing machine or household oils These oils are too light and will not stay in the bearing for long Whirlwind R
38. rame after making any bends Any cracks must be welded shut and reinforced Caster Wheel Rubs on the Fork A chair will veer to one side if the caster wheel rubs against the fork friction will act like a brake on the wheel and your RoughRider will pull to that side The caster wheel could be rubbing on the fork for two reasons the caster fork could be bent or the caster wheel is not centered in the fork The stem of the caster fork is bent The chair will veer to one side if the stems of both forks are not precisely at a right angle to the axle of the caster wheel _ Tube over A caster stem Solution If the caster fork is bent at the junction between the fork and the bolt stem get the help of a mechanic with a large vise to straighten the fork after making any bends check very carefully for cracks in the fork and where the fork and stem meet The angle between the fork and the stem Caster fork ina vice should be 130 degrees You can put the caster fork in a vise With stem pointing up with the bolt pointing upward Be careful not to dent the fork ttre by clamping it too tight You can protect the fork from the jaws of the vise with two scraps of wood or heavy leather Put a thick walled tube over the bolt and pull to change the angle of bolt The caster wheel is not centered in 3 the fork Solution If the caster wheel is not x centered on the axle center it by removing or adding washers Replac
39. s forming in the soap e Mark around the hole with a pen or pencil e Let any remaining air out of the tire e To repair tube roughen the surface around the hole about 25 cm 1 in by rubbing the tube with sandpaper Make sure the surface 1s completely clean and dry e Ifthere is glue apply glue and wait about 30 seconds for glue to get tacky e Press on patch and let dry For temporary repairs to torn tires wrap a strip of canvas around inner tube 2 3 times e Replace tube and tire and re inflate to desired pressure Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 45 USER MANUAL Cleaning your RoughRider Keeping the chair clean and dry helps keep the metal parts from rusting and the upholstery from rotting Cleaning also prevents damage caused by dirt or sand scraping against the chair s moving parts Clean the frame and upholstery as needed using water with a little mild soap making sure to rinse and dry it completely afterward Pay special attention to all moving parts such as the axles the caster barrels pivots where the chair folds and areas where the upholstery is fastened to the frame dirt can be especially damaging to these areas After each cleaning and only after the chair is completely dry apply medium to heavy weight oil to all moving parts on the chair x brace pivots pivot tubes at the bottom of x brace folding stabilizer pivots wheel lock pivots and footrest pivots to prevent rusting and to keep
40. se your measurements when you originally received the chair to get the correct width and height of the seat If you are not able to correct your seat width it may be time to replace your seat upholstery Holes in the upholstery Avoid riding in a wheelchair that has holes or tears in the seat because sitting on an uneven surface can cause bad posture and may increase the pressure on your buttocks If there are any holes or tears in your seat or seat back either repair them or replace your seat upholstery If the holes are not too big it should be possible to patch the holes It is best to use the same fabric as the original upholstery If the holes are very large or the upholstery is SO worn it cannot be patched many holes very faded thinning etc you will probably need to replace it Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 39 WHIRLWIND NICAL Se USER MANUAL Wheel Locks ceoccoooocooooccococcoooccoooooooooo WARNING receoooocoooocoooocoooocooooccooocoooo Loose wheel locks or wheel locks that aren t adjusted correctly may not fully lock the wheels and can cause you to fall while getting into or out of your chair resulting in injury to you or damage to the chair Maintaining your Wheel Locks It should be very difficult to move your wheels when they are locked e Check that the wheel locks are adjusted so that they push in slightly on the tire about 2 cm or 3 16 in e Check that the nuts and bolts are all there and su
41. sh rims to take another stroke To avoid rolling backward you can alternate hands so that you are always holding one push rim while your other hand is moving back for another stroke You should also be leaning forward when you are going uphill ueseseseseseseresess Sometimes it is easier to climb a hill by pushing backward Another technique especially useful on steep slopes is to traverse the slope pushing your RoughRider across the slope at an angle rather than straight up Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 19 30 JO lt USER MANUAL Transfers Getting in and out of your RoughRider Practice to figure out the best way for you to get in and out of your RoughRider These are just suggestions for how it might work While you are learning you should always have a helper nearby Practice on a soft surface to avoid injuring yourself if you fall The basics For most people it is best to have the wheelchair at a 90 degree angle to whatever surface you are transferring to or from Lock your wheels before attempting to transfer This will keep the wheelchair from moving during your transfer so you won t fall If you are able to use your legs to support some of your weight or if someone is helping you to transfer you may want to fold your footrests out of the way If you are not able to use your legs you might want to leave your footrests in place to help support your feet during the transfer K Ki 90 d
42. t a good grip with a wrench If the bolt or nut will still not turn then the nut may be rusty Rusted nut Apply a mixture of light oil and kerosene so that it can flow onto the threads of the bolt and nut then wait Try to loosen the nut periodically over the next few hours If it is not possible to loosen the nut cut the head of the bolt off with a hacksaw remove the bolt and replace it Your RoughRider uses lock nuts in multiple locations so they do not come loose from the vibrations that happen during normal use A lock nut is harder to turn than a regular nut and should not come loose by itself Your chair will come with either standard commercial nylocks or with Whirlwind split nuts A nylock is a nut with a nylon ring on the inside If the nylock is easy to turn it has lost most of its locking capacity and should be replaced A Whirlwind split nut is a lock nut that can be easily made with the correct size standard nut and basic tools hacksaw and clamp vise A worn out nylock can be replaced with a Whirlwind split nut To make a split nut e Firmly grip the nut on the top and bottom faces as shown in bottom center photo e With your hacksaw blade slightly off center cut halfway through the nut e Squeeze the nut in a vise or clamp or smash it with a hammer to close the slit as shown in bottom right photo e When putting the nut on your RoughRider place it so the wider slice screws on first If the Whirlwind split n
43. t shifting your weight and see if your RoughRider drifts to one side If it does this is usually the side that is affected by one of the problems below After trying any of the solutions below check to see if your chair rolls in a straight line Observe Look at the chair on a flat surface and notice what doesn t look straight Look at the caster barrels caster wheels rear wheels and side frame Uneven Tire Pressure A chair will turn toward the tire with the lower pressure Solution Equalize the pressure in the two tires either by pumping up the lower pressure tire or by releasing some of the pressure in an over inflated tire Dirty or Damaged Bearings A chair will turn toward the side of the chair where the bearing is sticking like braking on one side Solution Check the bearings in the caster wheel and rear wheel See Bearings section Check and clean or replace bearings as appropriate Stuck X Brace A chair will turn toward one side if the X brace pivot does not move easily or is jammed so that one caster wheel is suspended above the ground You should be able to see if this 1s the problem if you look at how your 4 wheels contact a flat surface when you are seated in the chair Solution e Loosen X brace center bolt The center bolt should not be tight There should be approximately 0 5 cm between the locknut and the square tube With a person seated in the chair you should be able to hold one caster wheel down and lift the othe
44. table rear wheel position optimizes stability and performance for riders of differing abilities os With your rear wheels further forward To CARA e Your chair will be easier to push because there is less weight on the front wheels e Your chair will resist turning downhill on a side slope e It will be easier to go over obstacles e It will be easier to perform wheelies With your rear wheels further back the chair will be less likely to tip backward Start with the rear wheel in a position that feels secure to you As your skill level increases with practice the wheel position can be adjusted pe cceee forward Your Cushion If you have limited feeling in your buttocks you should use a high quality foam cushion that is highly resilient If you do not use a suitable cushion you are likely to develop a pressure sore You should also perform regular pressure relieving exercises see the Basic Riding Skills section for more instruction and information about limited feeling A cushion can also make you feel more comfortable and can promote good posture If you use a cushion make sure your footrests are well adjusted so that your weight is evenly distributed on the cushion Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 7 OUG a R der USER MANUAL Seat Angle The RoughRider was designed with 12 degrees of seat tilt Why does the RoughRider have seat tilt e Seat tilt makes sitting feel more natural and comfortable the
45. the moving parts moving smoothly page 46 www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Basic Riding Skills Routine Inspections et PCO oecrecseccceccceccsccseccccscccccs IMPORTANT Coe cree ccccccccccccccccecccecceeccecs Inspection of the chair s frame for damage that needs repair is a good thing to do while you are cleaning it If tubes are bent the wheelchair may be out of alignment and will not roll smoothly or in a straight line Cracks in the wheelchair s tubes or joints are indications of where the wheelchair may break completely and should be repaired as soon as possible To do routine inspections look over your RoughRider while not sitting in it to make sure there are no holes in the upholstery cracks in the welds bends in the tubes loose nuts or bolts bent axles uneven footrests or loose handgrips If you find major structural problems like cracks or bends you should have your RoughRider repaired as soon as possible by a capable technical professional for example a bicycle mechanic or auto repair technician to prevent major failure This frame cracked after years of use and was then repaired and reinforced Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 47 USER MANUAL Nuts and Bolts Although your RoughRider has been designed with a minimum number of nuts and bolts over time and miles of travel your RoughRider will experience vibrations and torque that can cause the nuts and bolts to loosen Lo
46. the wheels from moving Whirlwind Wheelchair International San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Avenue SCI 251 San Francisco CA 94132 4163 USA Phone 415 338 6277 Fax 415 338 1290 E mail info whirlwindwheelchair org e Riding over curbs or obstacles can cause tipping and serious bodily harm If you have any doubt that you can safely cross any curb or obstacle ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP Be aware of your riding skills and personal limitations Develop new skills only with the helo of a companion e Using Anti Tippers substantially reduces your risk of falling over backwards which can cause serious injury If you are afraid of tipping over use the Anti Tippers The Anti Tiopers will keep you from falling over but they will limit your ability to be pulled up curbs and some other maneuvers Just as children learn to ride bikes without training wheels you may be able to learn to use your wheelchair without Anti Tiopers WHIRLWIND STRONGLY RECCOMENDS THAT YOU USE ANTI TIPPERS WHILE YOU ARE LEARNING TO RIDE YOUR WHEELCHAIR e Always wear your seat positioning strap Whirlwind recommends using a seat positioning strap as an additional sateguard against falling out of your wheelchair If your seat positioning strap becomes lost or worn contact Whirlwind for a replacement e The RoughkRider is not designed for weight training and is unsafe for use as a seat while weight training Weight training trom the Roughkider substantially
47. tting flats and can put more strain on your arms and shoulders If the tire pressure is not the same in both wheels your RoughRider will turn toward the side of the lower pressure tire Tool Kit for Tire Repair Rubber cement for tire patches Sandpaper cloth backed 60 grit works best 6 patches with tapered edge Spare valve cap metal type with built in wrench for valve core Spare valve core page 44 www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Basic Riding Skills Repairing or Replacing Tires and Tubes When tire tread gets very worn or the tire is brittle or cracked it is more likely to go flat so be ready to replace it If tire is not damaged and only the tube needs repairing e Remove tire by gently prying it outside the rim using a tire tool or a screwdriver with the edges filed smooth or the ends of spoon handles like the picture above Pull tube out of tire e Carefully inspect inside of the tire for the cause of the puncture The cause of the puncture may be screws thorns glass or other sharp material that may still be stuck in the tire tread and will puncture the tire again if it is not removed e Find hole in tube by pumping halfway full and squeezing it You may be able to find the hole by the sound of escaping air If not put the tube under water Squeeze the tube and watch for bubbles escaping from the hole Another way to do this is to rub soapy water on the tube and watch for bubble
48. tube Remove broken spoke and insert the new spoke in the same direction as the broken spoke spokes on the same side of the hub should alternate directions Weave the new spoke in the same pattern as the other spokes look very carefully at the existing pattern to make sure you are doing it the same way Insert the threaded end of the spoke through the same hole in the rim that the broken spoke went through Thread the small end f the nipple through the hole in the rim and screw it onto the end of the spoke If a spoke of the same length is not available a longer spoke can be used Make a sharp bend in the long spoke at the non threaded end to the length needed The bend in the spoke will hook through the hole in the hub see the above left two pictures As you begin to tighten the nipple bend the hook end of the spoke back against the main shaft of the spoke Tighten the new spoke and adjust as many of the spokes around it as necessary to align the wheel A bicycle mechanic will be able to do this if you need help www whirlwindwheelchair org Your RoughRider Basic Riding Skills Lubricating your RoughRider Consistently lubricating your RoughRider will keep all the moving parts operating smoothly and efficiently Use medium to heavy weight oil Do not use common penetrating lubricants like WD40 because they can damage the seals and remove grease Bearing life will be significantly shortened if you use your chair with ungre
49. tures 5 Common Modifications 9 Know your Capabilities and Limits 11 Pressure Relief 14 Pressure Relief Techniques 16 Moving Around 19 Riding Techniques 19 Transfers Getting in and out of your RoughRider 20 Traveling with your RoughRider 24 Maintenance Schedule 32 Bearings 33 Upholstery 35 Wheel Locks 40 Spokes 42 Lubricating your RoughRider 43 Tires 45 Cleaning your RoughRider 46 Routine Inspections 48 Nuts and Bolts 49 Footrests 50 Handgrips 52 Troubleshoot If your RoughRider Does Not Roll Straight 53 54 Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual ae I www whirliwindwheelchair org OUON R der USER MANUAL WARNINGS DO NOT use an escalator to move a wheelchair between floors Serious bodily injury may occur DO NOT lean over the top of the back upholstery to reach objects from behind as this may cause the wheelchair to tip over DO NOT shift your weight or sitting position toward the direction you are reaching as the wheelchair may tip over backwards or sideways DO NOT tip or wheelie the wheelchair without assistance unless you are highly skilled DO NOT attempt to stop a moving wheelchair with wheel locks Wheel locks are not brakes DO NOT stand on the frame of the wheelchair DO NOT over inflate the tires ALWAYS use caution when transferring in or out of the wheelchair Every precaution should be taken to reduce the transfer distance Also be certain the wheel locks are engaged to prevent
50. ur legs and buttocks and or you are able to move around while sitting you can do shorter weight shifts Regardless of your current physical capabilities if you have had pressure sores in the past you should perform more frequent and longer weight shifts You should also shift position at least every 2 hours while in bed and make sure your skin is kept clean and dry Do skin checks twice each day once in the morning and once at night You can use a mirror to inspect areas you cannot easily see If you are not able to see all areas of your skin you may need to have a friend or family member check your skin for you Examine your skin especially on or around bony areas looking for red or dark areas if you are light skinned or light dry flaky or ashy areas if you are darker skinned Discoloration should go away within 30 minutes after pressure has been released Other signs of a pressure sore are skin that is warmer than normal and a hardening under the skin Good Nutrition You can help keep your skin healthy if you eat a well balanced diet and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated If you see signs that pressure sore damage to the skin has already occurred KEEP YOUR WEIGHT OFF THE AREA AND SEEK TREATMENT IMMEDIATELY Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 15 30 JO lt USER MANUAL Pressure Relief Techniques Remember Shift your weight at least every 10 20 minutes Each weight shift should last from 10 to 60 seconds
51. ut becomes easy to turn it may be able to be repaired To repair a Split nut e Check that the slit is cut half way through one side of the nut If it is cut less than half way through use a hacksaw to complete the cut to half way e Squeeze the nut in a vise or smash it with a hammer to ensure the slit is closed Whirlwind RoughRider User Manual page 49 USER MANUAL Footrests must be at the correct height to maintain a good sitting position and pressure relief Check to make sure that your footrests are at the proper height for your best sitting posture You might want to mark the frame where they should be to make it easy to check their alignment Your feet should rest lightly on the footrests when you are sitting in your best position in the seat and you should have even pressure over the entire surface of your seat If your footrests are too low you will tend to slide forward in your seat to keep your feet on the footrests Sliding forward in your seat can cause bad posture make you uncomfortable and cause pressure sores if you have no sensation in your buttocks If the footrests are too high there is more pressure on your buttocks which may be uncomfortable and can cause pressure sores Footrest Too Low Correct Footrest Height Footrest Too High A Knees Up Moves you High Pressure To adjust the footrest loosen the bolt on the footrest clamp tube Move the footrest to the correct position and t
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