| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 26, 2001 Release # 01-178 |
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Yolanda Fultz-Morris, (301) 504-7066 |
CPSC, Five Firms Announce Recall of Backpack Blowers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), five firms are recalling about 50,500 backpack blowers. The fuel tanks on these blowers can leak, posing a fire hazard and risk of burn injuries to consumers.The following firms are conducting this Safety Recalls, Husqvarna Forest & Garden Co., of Charlotte, N.C.; John Deere Consumer Products Inc., of Moline, Ill.; Makita U.S.A. Inc., of La Mirada, Calif.; Carswell Import & Marketing Associates Inc., of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Tilton Equipment Co., of Rye, N.H.
Carswell has received 159 reports of leaking fuel tanks on these blowers. Makita U.S.A has received 55 reports of leaks. John Deere has received five reports of leaks. No injuries have been reported. The other firms have not had reports of leaks.
The recalled blowers all have their brand name, model number and serial number written on the units. Consumers should check with the manufacturer to determine if their blower is part of the recall. Consumers should have their serial number available when they contact the firm.
| Manufacturer | Model Number | Dates Sold | Toll-Free Number/Web Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna Forest & Garden Co. | 155BT and 155BF | Sold from June 1998 through June 2001 | (800) 438-7297 www.husqvarna.com |
| John Deere Consumer Products Inc. | UT 26113, UT08093 and UT08104 | Sold from January 1998 through April 2001 | (800) 537-8233 www.johndeere.com |
| Makita U.S.A. Inc. | RBL500 | Sold from March 1997 through January 2001 | (800) 625-4828 www.makitaope.com |
| Carswell Import & Marketing Associates Inc. | FL500 | Sold from December 1996 through June 2001 | (800) 929-1948 www.carswelldist.com |
| Tilton Equipment Co. | TB50 | Sold from August 2000 through May 2001 | (800) 447-1152 www.tiltonequipment.com |
Home centers, hardware stores and manufacturer dealers nationwide sold these blowers for between $400 and $750.
Consumers should stop using the recalled blowers immediately, and contact the manufacturer to have their blower repaired free of charge.
The Tilton Equipment Co. Blower
One of the John Deere Blowers
The other John Deere Blower
The Husqvarna Blower
The Carswell Blower
The Makita Blower
