Log Splitters
CPSC Recall #07-243 — July 23, 2007
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 07-243 |
| Recall Date | July 23, 2007 |
| Remedy Type | Dispose |
| Units Affected | About 8,000 (This recall was first announced in Feb. 2005) |
| Manufacturer | Brave Products Inc., of Streator, Ill. |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Ace |
| True Value |
| and Do It Best Hardware stores and independent power equipment dealers nationwide from January 2002 through October 2004 |
| and from May 2006 through April 2007 |
| for between $900 and $2 |
| 000. |
Product
Log Splitters
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Brave Products Inc., of Streator, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 8,000 Log Splitters (4,000 additional units were recalled in February 2005). The log splitter's hydraulic cylinders can have defective rod retention, causing the seals to leak and the rods to detach. This can result in serious injury to the operator, as the rod can rapidly and unexpectedly extend the splitting wedge.Name of Product: Log SplittersUnits: About 8,000 (This recall was first announced in Feb. 2005)Manufacturer: Brave Products Inc., of Streator, Ill.Hazard: The log splitter's hydraulic cylinders can have defective rod retention, causing the seals to leak and the rods to detach. This can result in serious injury to the operator, as the rod can rapidly and unexpectedly extend the splitting wedge.Incidents/Injuries: Brave Products has received 59 additional reports of leaking cylinders and/or rod retention failure. One consumer reported a hand amputation that could have been caused by this cylinder defect.Description: The log splitters are made of steel and painted orange and black, or blue and black. They have trailer hitches and rubber tires. Each log splitter has a decal on the side that reads "Brave Products, Inc." or "Iron & Oak" and "__ ton" (either 15, 22, 26, or 34). The following Brave Products or Iron & Oak models are included in the recall:LOG SPLITTER MODELSERIAL NUMBERBrave VH0234 (34 ton)Serial #S008277 through S016976Brave VH0634 (34 ton)Serial #S026956 through S030562Brave VH9926 (26 ton)Serial #S006836 through S017534Brave VH0626 (26 ton)Serial #S026965 through S030558Brave VH9922 (22 ton)Serial #S006691 through S016862Brave VH0622 (22 ton)Serial #S026426 through S030701Brave SR0622 (22 ton)Serial #S020721 through S029688Brave HB0115 (15 ton)Serial #S013853 through S017534The following Iron & Oak models are being recalled:LOG SPLITTER MODELSERIAL NUMBERModel BHVH3402 (34 ton)S008724 through S017729Model BHVH3405 (34 ton)S027103 through S030442Model BHVH2699 (26 ton)S006847 through S017720Model BHVH2699 (26 ton)S026447 through S030538Model BHVH2299 (22 ton)S006735 through S017714Model BHVH2202 (22 ton)S026418 through S030547 & DG (Duro-Glide)Model BHVH2299FC (22 ton)S013853 through S017534 & DG (Duro-Glide)Model BHVH2202FC (22 ton)S026999 through S030537 & DG (Duro-Glide)Model BHH3003 (30 ton horizontal)S008457 through S017743S026993 through S030439Model BHH2003 (20 ton horizontal)S006746 through S017742S026560 through S030491Model BHHB0115 (15 ton horizontal)S013853 through S017534Model TMVH95/HYD, TMVH02/PTO, TMVH03/HYDS006645 to S017885S026736 through S029584Sold at: Ace, True Value, and Do It Best Hardware stores and independent power equipment dealers nationwide from January 2002 through October 2004, and from May 2006 through April 2007, for between $900 and $2,000.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Recall remedy is no longer available. Destroy and discard this product.
Hazard
The log splitter's hydraulic cylinders can have defective rod retention, causing the seals to leak and the rods to detach. This can result in serious injury to the operator, as the rod can rapidly and unexpectedly extend the splitting wedge.
Incidents & Injuries
Brave Products has received 59 additional reports of leaking cylinders and/or rod retention failure. One consumer reported a hand amputation that could have been caused by this cylinder defect.
Remedy Instructions
The firm is no longer in business and the recall remedy is no longer available. Discard this product. Do not donate or resell.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose 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 (Dispose) 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.