Troy-Bilt 4-Cycle Gasoline String Trimmers
CPSC Recall #06-570 — July 31, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 06-570 |
| Recall Date | July 31, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 20,000 |
| Importer | MTD Southwest Inc., of Tempe, Ariz. |
| Manufactured In | Mexico |
Where It Was Sold
| Lowe's stores nationwide from January 2006 through March 2006 for about $170. |
Product
Troy-Bilt 4-Cycle Gasoline String Trimmers
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), MTD Southwest Inc., of Tempe, Ariz., is voluntarily recalling about 20,000 Troy-Bilt 4-Cycle Gasoline String Trimmers. The blade that trims the excess string of these weed trimmers can detach from the plastic shield covering the trimmer head. The blade can be thrown outward, hitting the user or bystander, resulting in a laceration.Name of Product: Troy-Bilt 4-Cycle Gasoline String TrimmersUnits: About 20,000Importer: MTD Southwest Inc., of Tempe, Ariz.Hazard: The blade that trims the excess string of these weed trimmers can detach from the plastic shield covering the trimmer head. The blade can be thrown outward, hitting the user or bystander, resulting in a laceration.Incidents/Injuries: None reportedDescription and Models: The recalled handheld string trimmer is powered by a 4-cycle gasoline engine. The trimmer functions to cut grass or weeds through the use of a spinning yellow trimmer head containing a spool of orange filament line. Model numbers TB425CS and TB525CS and "Troy-Bilt" are printed on the body of the muffler housing.Sold at: Lowe's stores nationwide from January 2006 through March 2006 for about $170.Manufactured In: MexicoRemedy: Consumers should stop using the trimmers immediately and contact Troy-Bilt for a free repair. Lowe's will mail free repair kits with instruction to owners of registered equipment directly.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Troy-Bilt toll-free at (888) 848-6038 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.troybilt.com.
Hazard
The blade that trims the excess string of these weed trimmers can detach from the plastic shield covering the trimmer head. The blade can be thrown outward, hitting the user or bystander, resulting in a laceration.
Incidents & Injuries
None reported
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the trimmers immediately and contact Troy-Bilt for a free repair. Lowe's will mail free repair kits with instruction to owners of registered equipment directly.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.