February 1, 2011
Alert #11-719 |
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Briggs & Stratton Recalls Model 40 V-Twin Engine Due to Injury Hazard; Used on Sears, Husqvarna, Bad Boy Riding Mowers
The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Briggs & Stratton Model 40 V-Twin Engine
Units: About 50
Manufacturer: Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis.
Hazard: Wear on misrouted wiring may cause it to disconnect from the shut-off device, allowing the engine to continue running when the key is in the "OFF" position or when the operator gets off the seat while the mower is engaged, posing an injury hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Description: The recalled product is a Briggs & Stratton V-twin engine with the date code 100201Y. The engines can be found in the following lawn mowers: Craftsman, model 247:289810; Husqvarna, model 960460016; and Bad Boy, model BBM4826BS. The engine date code is bottom-most number located on the valve cover of the engine. The valve cover is located at the front of the engine near the oil dipstick.
Sold by: Sears, under the Craftsman brand; The Home Depot, under the Husqvarna brand; and Tractor Supply Company, under the Bad Boy brand. The mowers were sold in February 2010 and March 2010 for between $1,500 and $3,500.
Manufactured in: USA
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the riding mowers and contact a Briggs & Stratton Authorized Dealer for free inspection and repair. Consumers with affected Craftsman and Husqvarna models were notified by letter from Sears and Briggs & Stratton. Tractor Supply Company has not notified the purchasers of the affected Bad Boy models.
Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Briggs & Stratton Corporation at (866) 927-3349 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.briggsandstratton.com/engines/support/contact
The valve cover is located at the front of the engine near the oil dipstick
The valve cover is stamped with the model number at the top and date code at the bottom
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.