Permobil · powerchair
Used Permobil F3 Corpus
The Permobil F3 Corpus is a compact front-wheel drive powerchair for outdoor and indoor use, made to order for its first user. Permobil say it has the smallest footprint of their F-series front-wheel drive chairs, made for tight spaces such as busy streets, shops and small flats. It carries up to 150 kg, and its top speed is 6, 8 or 10 km/h, depending on the chair. Some have a powered seat lift, tilt and recline.
At a glance
Up to 10 km/h (6.2 mph)
Top speed
Up to 25 km
Range
150 kg
Maximum user weight
610 to 790 mm
Width (with the seat)
In stock now
None in stock at the moment.
Specification
Manufacturer's figures.
| Driving | |
|---|---|
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Top speed | 6, 8 or 10 km/h (3.7, about 5 or 6.2 mph), depending on the chair |
| Range | Up to 25 km (15.5 miles) at a battery temperature of 25°C, say Permobil's manuals for model versions 2 and 3 (25 to 30 km in the first manual; 29 km, or 18 miles, in the later specification tables; 30 to 40 km on the 2023 data sheet, depending on the batteries; maker's figures) |
| Maximum kerb climb | 60 mm from a standstill, 75 mm with a 50 cm run-up (the manuals for model versions 2 and 3 say 75 mm either way) |
| Maximum safe slope | 6° (the later manuals say never drive on slopes steeper than 10°; the first manual gives a hill-climbing ability of 12°) |
| Ground clearance | 76 mm, says the first manual (85 mm in the manuals for model versions 2 and 3); Permobil say a car lock fitted to the chair affects it |
| Turning circle | 1350 mm, say the first manual and the 2023 data sheet (1580 mm in the manuals and product data for model versions 2 and 3) |
| Suspension | Independent on every wheel (Permobil's Smooth suspension) |
| Wheels | 3.00-8 drive wheels and 210 × 65 mm castors |
| Electronics | R-net or Permobil's Power Platform, depending on the chair |
| Lights | LED lights: on some chairs |
| Batteries | |
| Batteries | 2 × 12 V: 60Ah or 73Ah gel on the first model version; 65Ah (group 34) or 85Ah (group 24) lead acid later, depending on the chair |
| Charging | With a Permobil charger; it cannot be driven while it charges. The first manual gives a charging time of 8 hours |
| Seat | |
| Seat width | 420 to 570 mm, depending on the chair |
| Seat depth | 370 to 570 mm, depending on the chair |
| Seat height (without the cushion) | 450 mm; up to 750 mm on chairs with Active Height (the version 3 product data says up to 800 mm) |
| Powered seat lift (Active Height) | On some chairs: up to 300 mm, and it drives at up to 5 km/h fully raised |
| Forward tilt (Active Reach) | On some chairs: 5° to 30° (20° and 30° need the VS legrest) |
| Powered tilt | On some chairs: up to 50° back |
| Backrest | Powered (85° to 180°) or manual, depending on the chair |
| Legrests | Powered or manual (90° to 180°), depending on the chair |
| Size and weight | |
| Width | 610 to 790 mm, say the first manual and the data sheet (650 to 790 mm in the later manuals); the base is 610 mm |
| Length | 1120 to 1140 mm, say Permobil's manuals (the 2023 data sheet gives 915 mm without the anti-tip wheels and 1015 mm with them) |
| Height | 960 to 1170 mm |
| Smallest for transport | 790 to 890 mm long and 825 mm high (first manual and data sheet); 920 mm long and 850 mm high (later manuals) |
| Weight | 172 kg with batteries (manuals for model versions 2 and 3); 175 or 184 kg (first manual, depending on the batteries); 173 or 185.6 kg (data sheet, 65Ah or 85Ah batteries) |
| Heaviest part | The backrest, 7.5 kg |
| Maximum user weight | 150 kg (23 st 8 lb); Permobil say it can vary with how the chair is set up, and it is 136 kg (21 st 5 lb) on a Dahl docking station |
| Heavier users | Over 100 kg, support wheels must be fitted; over 110 kg, the seat must be at least 470 mm deep (Permobil's manuals) |
| Travel | |
| Seated travel in a vehicle | Yes, facing forward, secured with tie-down straps (up to 150 kg) or on a docking station (up to 136 kg). Permobil's 2023 data sheet and later manuals say it meets ISO 7176-19; their first manual says a headrest must be fitted and the vehicle needs a locking system Permobil approve. Permobil recommend moving to a vehicle seat whenever you can |
Before you buy a used F3 Corpus
How fast does the F3 Corpus go, and how far?
Its top speed is 6, 8 or 10 km/h (3.7, about 5 or 6.2 mph), depending on the chair. Permobil's later manuals give a range of about 25 km (15.5 miles) at a battery temperature of 25°C; their first manual says 25 to 30 km, and their 2023 data sheet 30 to 40 km, depending on the batteries. Those are the maker's figures: hills, rough ground, cold weather and older batteries all shorten it.
What is the maximum user weight?
150 kg (23 st 8 lb), or 136 kg (21 st 5 lb) when the chair is secured on a Dahl docking station in a vehicle. Permobil say a user over 100 kg needs support wheels fitted, and a user over 110 kg needs a seat at least 470 mm deep, so check the chair's seat depth.
Will it fit round my home?
It is 610 to 790 mm wide and about 1120 to 1140 mm long. Permobil's papers give its turning circle as 1350 mm (first manual and 2023 data sheet) or 1580 mm (later manuals), so allow for the larger figure. Permobil made it for tight spaces such as shops and small flats.
What can it climb?
Obstacles up to 60 mm from a standstill, or 75 mm with a 50 cm run-up (the later manuals say 75 mm either way). Permobil give a safe slope of 6°, and their later manuals say never to drive on slopes steeper than 10°. Ground clearance is 76 to 85 mm, depending on the model version.
Can I travel in a vehicle sitting in it?
Yes, in a vehicle made to carry wheelchairs. Permobil's 2023 data sheet and later manuals say it meets ISO 7176-19, so the user can stay seated in it facing forward, with the chair secured by tie-down straps (up to 150 kg) or on a docking station (up to 136 kg). Permobil recommend moving to a vehicle seat whenever you can. It weighs 172 to 185.6 kg with batteries.
Is the F3 Corpus right for you?
Tell us how you’ll use it and we’ll say honestly if another model fits better.