IC series irrigation controllers
CPSC Recall #85-045 - September 17, 1985
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 85-045 |
| Recall Date | September 17, 1985 |
| Remedy Type | - |
| Units Affected | 17,000 |
Product
IC series irrigation controllers
Description
Washington, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The Toro Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, today announced the recall of 17,000 IC series irrigation controllers (four models including the IC4, ICOD, IC8 or IC12). The Toro Company has learned that under certain conditions, the end cap of the capacitor in the controller may fail or burst abrupt, scattering tinfoil and paper debris which could cause eye injury. Toro has received four failure reports in 1983 and 1984, which resulted in two non-permanent eye injuries of corneal abrasion. A large capacitor in the irrigation controller's printed circuit board can fail if the heat sink and the battery connector inadvertently touch each other causing a short circuit. These incidents can occur while the user or servicing person is standing in front of the controller with the door open and cover removed. The Toro IC irrigation controllers are UL listed electronic devices which can be programmed to operate automatic lawn sprinkling systems. The product was marketed nationwide in 1982 and 1983, primarily through irrigation system professional contractors and some retail outlets. Of the 38,752 controllers manufactured which present this problem; approximately 31,000 units were sold and installed in homes and businesses. Approximately 14,000 of the 31,000 units sold have already been modified or the owners have been notified of the problem. In addition, Toro has notified over 11,000 professional contractors. 17,000 units have not yet been modified. The recall controllers can be identified on the plastic cover as a Toro IC4, IC4D, IC8, or IC12, and by the model/serial number decal on the bottom of the unit. The affected model/serial numbers are: Model No. Serial No. 104-06-04 002739 through 002747 010511 through 028551 104-06-06 001501 through 011261 108-06-05 000603 through 012631 112-06-06 000224 through 008818 Owners who have questions or who identify their controller as being recalled should call Toro at 714/688-9221, or may write to the Customer Service Department --The Toro Company, Irrigation Division, 5825 Jasmine Street, Riverside, California 92504. Toro will make arrangements to have units subject to the recall modified at no cost to owners. Toro also advises owners to disregard this recall notice if their unit has already been modified.
Hazard
The Toro Company has learned that under certain conditions, the end cap of the capacitor in the controller may fail or burst abrupt, scattering tinfoil and paper debris which could cause eye injury.
Incidents & Injuries
Toro has received four failure reports in 1983 and 1984, which resulted in two non-permanent eye injuries of corneal abrasion.
Remedy Instructions
Owners who have questions or who identify their controller as being recalled should call Toro. Toro will make arrangements to have units subject to the recall modified at no cost to owners. Toro also advises owners to disregard this recall notice if their unit has already been modified.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a remedy 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 (refund, replacement, or 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.