Mowers Recalled by The Toro Company Due to Injury Hazard
CPSC Recall #11-731 — March 29, 2011
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 11-731 |
| Recall Date | March 29, 2011 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 3700 U.S. and 109 in Canada |
| Manufacturer | "The Toro Company, Bloomington, Minn." |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| "Toro dealers in the U.S. and Canada from September 2005 through January 2011 for prices ranging from $13 |
| 000 to 17 |
| 000." |
Description
Mowers with the optional deluxe seat have an operator presence switch built into the seat that can activate the mower when the operator vacates the seat.
Hazard
"Mowers with the optional deluxe seat have an operator presence switch built into the seat that can activate the mower when the operator vacates the seat, posing an injury hazard from the blade to the operator and anyone in the vicinity of the mower."
Incidents & Injuries
Toro has received one report of a foot laceration.
Remedy Instructions
"If your machine has the optional deluxe seat installed, which is light gray with adjustment knob on the front, contact Toro to have modification instructions sent to you. Consumers can make that modification themselves, or contact any Toro Dealer to have it completed for them at no charge."
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.