FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2006
Release #07-003 |
Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 848-6038
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
|
MTD Snow Throwers Recalled - Plastic Wheel Rims Can Burst and Injure Users
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Products: Two-Stage Compact Snow Throwers
Units: About 130,000
Manufacturer: MTD Products Inc, of Cleveland, Ohio
Hazard: If the snow thrower's tires are over-inflated, the plastic wheel rims can burst, posing a risk of lacerations and fractures.
Incidents/Injuries: MTD has received reports of 16 injuries, including fractured fingers, a broken toe, and facial lacerations.
Description: The recalled two-stage compact snow thrower is used for snow removal. The snow thrower has two wheels and comes in red, green, gray or black. Troy-Bilt, Yard Machines or Craftsman is printed on the snow thrower's housing. The model number is located on the snow thrower's rear frame. The model numbers included in this recall are listed below.
| Brand | Model | Snow Thrower |
| Troy-Bilt |
31AS3BB2766 |
5.5 HP 24-inch Two Stage |
| Yard Machines |
31A-3AAD700 |
5 HP 22-inch Two Stage |
| 31A-3BAD700 |
5.5 HP 22-inch Two Stage |
| 31A-3BAD729 |
5.5 HP 22-inch Two Stage |
| 31A-3BAD752 |
5.5 HP 22-inch Two Stage |
| 31A-3BAD762 |
5.5 HP 22-inch Two Stage |
| 31AS3DDE729 |
7 HP 24-inch Two Stage |
| Craftsman |
247.88255 |
5.5 HP 24-inch Two Stage |
| 247.88700 |
5 HP 22-inch Two Stage |
Sold at: The Troy-Bilt and Yard Machines snow throwers were sold at independent dealers, home improvement and hardware stores. The Craftsman brand snow throwers were sold at Sears and Kmart stores. Affected snow throwers were sold from July 2004 through March 2006 for between $500 and $800.
Manufactured in: Canada
Remedy: Consumers should contact MTD for a free service kit with pressure relief valves, labels and instructions. Consumers with Craftsman brand snow throwers will be mailed a service kit directly by Sears.
Consumer Contact: For more information, contact MTD toll-free at (888) 848-6038 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.mtdproducts.com
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.