Handicare Charder MHS2500 Lift Scale, 300 kg

The Handicare Charder MHS2500 Lift Scale, 300 kg is the hanging scale Handicare supplies for weighing a person on a stationary or mobile patient lift, manufacturer code 70100002. It reads to 300 kg (660 lb) in 0.1 kg steps, holds a stable reading while the person is still moving, and tares off the weight of the sling. Westin Healthcare ships it across Canada and our technicians can fit it on a service visit across Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area.

This is the 300 kg model. Direct Healthcare Group lists the MHS2500 in two capacities: 70100002 at max 300 kg (660 lb), which is this listing, and 70100003 at max 400 kg (880 lb). Charder gives the 300 kg scale a 0.1 kg division and the 400 kg scale a 0.2 kg division, so the smaller one reads twice as fine. Choose the capacity your heaviest resident needs and no more, because the finer division is the more useful clinical number.

Why weigh on the lift

A resident who cannot stand cannot use a platform scale, and moving someone onto a chair scale is a second transfer nobody needed. Weighing on the lift folds the measurement into a transfer that was happening anyway: the person goes up in the sling, the number settles, the caregiver reads it and the transfer carries on.

That matters clinically, because weight is a monitored value. Fluid balance, medication dosing, nutrition plans and pressure-injury risk all turn on a number somebody has to record, and a number recorded weekly with no extra handling is a number that actually gets recorded.

• Hold captures a stable weight and keeps it on the display even while the person is moving in the sling
• Tare and Net subtracts the sling and anything else you do not want in the number
• 0.1 kg division from a minimum weight of 2 kg, with the metrology printed on the bezel: Max 300 kg, Min 2 kg, e = 0.1 kg
• Six AAA batteries, so there is nothing to plug in and nothing to charge

Getting a reading you can trust

Charder is specific about what makes a hanging scale lie, and it is worth reading before the first weigh.

It has to hang level. Charder prints the caution in a box of its own: a tilt angle over 3 degrees will cause a false reading. The person has to be hanging free, not part-resting on a chair, a wheelchair or a bed, and the sling should be allowed to settle before the number is read. Charder also warns not to measure weight during movement, because tilt causes inaccuracy.

The cardan joints are factory-set. Charder assembles them with the load cell at the factory and states that they should not be twisted by the user or in any other circumstance, because misuse will cause unexpected danger. It also states that it does not recommend building a scale into the construction of any lift or hoist whose hanger bar does not swivel 360 degrees. If you are not sure whether your lift qualifies, ask us before you order.

Deduct what is not the person. Tare the sling before the lift, and take clothing into account if the record needs a true body weight.

Which lifts it fits

Direct Healthcare Group states that the Charder MHS2500 is used together with a stationary or mobile lift for weighing of users, and lists it for RiseBasic, RiseAtlas450, RiseAtlas625, all variants of the Carina350 mobile lift, all models and variants of the Eva mobile lifts, the Vega505EE and the Rino600EE. Both capacities appear in the accessory table of the Carina350 product folder as "70100002 Charder MHS2500 Scale, SWL 300 kg/660 lbs" and "70100003 Charder MHS2500 Scale, SWL 400 kg/880 lbs".

The Handicare floor lifts we sell are the Eva600EE, the Eva450EE with low legs, the Carina350EE and the Carina350EM. The whole range sits on the patient lifts hub.

The scale hangs between the lift arm and the sling bar, so it sits in the load path and adds to the distance from the arm to the sling. If one scale has to serve several lifts, ask us about SwiftHook (70200008), Handicare's quick coupling for SlingBar S, M and L and for the StretcherBar, which Handicare says makes changing sling bars or connecting a scale very easy.

Handicare Charder MHS2500 Lift Scale, 300 kg specifications

Charder does not publish a net weight, an IP rating or a load-cell class for the MHS2500 in its manual, so none is claimed here. What is published is the capacity, the division, the display, the dimensions, the power, the operating temperature and the metrology printed on the bezel, and that is what the table above carries. If you need a figure for a facility record or a metrology file, ask us and we will request it from the manufacturer.

The rest of the lift assembly

The scale is one part of a system, and Handicare's rule governs the whole of it: different products on the same lift system, and Handicare names the lift unit, the sling bar, the sling, scales and other lifting accessories, may have different allowable safe working loads, and the lowest one always determines the safe working load of the assembled system. Check every part before use.

The bar the sling hangs from is the SlingBar, in S at 35 cm, M at 45 cm and L at 60 cm, all rated 300 kg (660 lb). For horizontal lifting the bar is the StretcherBar. Full-body slings include the Handicare Universal Sling and the hammock sling, and the range sits under full body slings.

Other spare parts and lift hardware sit on the lift parts shelf. If you are weighing residents in bed rather than on a lift, we also list the Span weigh scale bed.

Delivery in Brampton and the GTA

Westin Healthcare ships this scale across Canada and delivers it across Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area. Shipping terms are on the shipping policy, and any charge is confirmed on your order.

If our technicians already service your equipment, ask us to bring it on the next visit and fit it while we are there. Call (905) 451-7743 or book through service and repairs. You are also welcome to pick it up at our Brampton showroom.

Service, repairs, and warranty

When something on the equipment needs work, you call the shop that set it up, not an overseas parts desk. Westin Healthcare has a service and repairs department. Our technicians come to the home or workplace.

Charder warranty and accuracy checks

Charder's manual states a warranty period of two years beginning on the date of purchase. If a fault is within Charder's scope of responsibility, Charder has the right either to repair it or to supply a replacement unit, and replaced parts become Charder's property. Keep your receipt as proof of purchase. We handle the claim with you.

The warranty does not cover damage from unsuitable or improper storage or use, incorrect installation or commissioning, natural wear, changes or modifications, incorrect or negligent handling, overuse, or chemical, electrochemical or electrical interference or humidity, unless that is attributable to Charder's negligence.

Charder recommends checking the scale's accuracy at regular intervals, and asks that repairs be left to a Charder service partner. Handicare separately requires a thorough inspection of the lift at least once per year by authorized personnel. Ask us to schedule the two together and our technicians will do both on one visit.

Frequently asked questions

Which lifts does this scale fit?

Direct Healthcare Group lists it for RiseBasic, RiseAtlas450, RiseAtlas625, all variants of the Carina350 mobile lift, all models and variants of the Eva mobile lifts, the Vega505EE and the Rino600EE. It is printed in the accessory table of the Carina350 product folder. Tell us which lift you have and we will confirm before anything ships.

What is the difference between the 300 kg model and the 400 kg model?

The capacity and the division. Direct Healthcare Group lists two MHS2500 scales: 70100002 at max 300 kg (660 lb) and 70100003 at max 400 kg (880 lb). Charder's manual gives the 300 kg model a 0.1 kg division and the 400 kg model a 0.2 kg division, so the smaller scale reads finer. This listing is the 300 kg one. If your floor weighs bariatric residents, ask us about the 400 kg model.

How accurate is it?

Charder prints the metrology on the display bezel itself: Max 300 kg, Min 2 kg, e = 0.1 kg. In plain terms it reads to a tenth of a kilogram and it will not give a reading below 2 kg. Charder notes that only the kg unit is approved by OIML, the International Organization of Legal Metrology.

Does it need to hang level?

Yes, and this is the fact that causes bad readings. Charder's manual carries a caution in its own box: a tilt angle over 3 degrees will cause a false reading. Charder also states that the cardan joints are assembled with the load cell at the factory and must not be twisted by the user, and that it does not recommend building a scale into any lift or hoist whose hanger bar does not swivel 360 degrees.

What does the Hold button do?

It captures a stable weight and keeps it on the display, which is what you need when the person is still moving in the sling. Charder's manual also warns not to measure weight during movement, because tilt causes inaccuracy. Let the sling settle, take the reading, then move.

Can I subtract the weight of the sling?

Yes. The Tare function is designed for exactly that. Charder's instruction is to load the weight you want to subtract, press ON/OFF/ZERO/TARE to tare it, and then lift the person to read the net weight. Tare the sling and any clothing you do not want in the number.

Does it run on batteries?

Yes. Charder's MHS series takes six AAA alkaline batteries, and the manual shows the battery cover, the battery case and the order to reassemble them in. A low battery warning appears on the display when the voltage is too low to operate.

Does it change the weight rating of my lift?

No, but it becomes part of the assembly, which matters. Handicare's rule is that different products on the same lift system, and it names scales specifically, may have different allowable safe working loads, and that the lowest one always determines the safe working load of the assembled system. Check the lift, the scale, the bar and the sling before use.

Where does it sit on the lift?

Between the lift arm and the sling bar, so the load passes through it. That does mean it adds to the distance from the lift arm to the sling, so it is worth checking your lowest transfer with the scale fitted before you commit to leaving it on.

Is there a quick way to fit and remove it?

Handicare makes one. SwiftHook (70200008) is a quick coupling listed for SlingBar S, M and L and for the StretcherBar, and Handicare says it makes changing sling bars or connecting a scale very easy. Ask us about it if one scale has to serve several lifts.

How do I clean it?

Charder recommends alcohol-based wipes or similar. It is an electronic instrument, so wipe it rather than soaking it, and keep it out of wet rooms.

Does it need calibrating?

Charder recommends checking the scale's accuracy at regular intervals. Ask us to include the check when our technicians do the lift's annual inspection and we will schedule the two together.

What warranty comes with it?

Charder's manual states a warranty period of two years beginning on the date of purchase, with Charder having the right to repair the fault or supply a replacement unit, and asks you to keep proof of purchase. It excludes damage from improper storage or use, incorrect installation, natural wear, modifications and negligent handling. We handle the claim with you.