Push Button Command Feed Weed/Grass Trimmers
CPSC Recall #86026 - April 28, 1986
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 86026 |
| Recall Date | April 28, 1986 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | Approximately 647,000 |
Product
Push Button Command Feed Weed/Grass Trimmers
Description
Washington, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., Towson, MD, today announced a voluntary recall of approximately 647,000 of its Push Button Command Feed Weed/Grass Trimmers produced between 1981 and 1984. These trimmers are being recalled because the fan and cap assembly may fracture, throwing pieces that could injure the user or bystanders. Black & Decker is aware of 102 reports of fan/cap breakage, some resulting in injuries involving lacerations and bruises to the feet and legs. The products were sold nationwide under the Black & Decker label, and also under the labels of Montgomery Ward and McCulloch Corporation. Consumers are urged immediately to stop using the affected trimmers and return them to a Black & Decker Service Center listed in the yellow pages under "Tools - Electric" so that the trimmers can be repaired at no cost to the consumer. The following trimmers are subject to the recall: Black & Decker Models 8243 (Types 1 & 2) 8251 (Types 1 b 2) 8255 (Type 1) Montgomery Ward Models XBA 2098A XBA 2098B XBA 2099A McCulloch Corporation Models MAC 30 (Type 1) MAC 40 (Type 1) The affected trimmers can be identified by a label decal tag located near the top of the trimmer between the auxillary handle and the top handle. The trimmers sold for a price of between $40 - $75 and use a nylon line to cut weeds and grass. They are being voluntarily recalled because the black rotating fan and cap assembly, attached to the motor below the guard on the Trimmers, may fracture during use. If this happens, pieces of the assembly could be thrown out from under the guard. This could present a potential safety hazard for users and by-standers, who could be cut and bruised by the thrown pieces. Black & Decker has developed a new fan and cap assembly for these trimmers to safeguard against any future possibility of failure. The neti assembly will be installed on trimmers returned to Black & Decker. All owners of the trimmers should take them to a Black & Decker Service Center or telephone their local Black & Decker Service Center for assistance. Owners who need additional information about the recall nay call Black & Decker toll-free at (800) 544-6986 on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time. Black & Decker is mailing letters providing instructions to those persons who, after purchasing their trimmer, mailed in the Registration Cards.
Hazard
These trimmers are being recalled because the fan and cap assembly may fracture, throwing pieces that could injure the user or bystanders.
Incidents & Injuries
Black & Decker is aware of 102 reports of fan/cap breakage, some resulting in injuries involving lacerations and bruises to the feet and legs.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers are urged immediately to stop using the affected trimmers and return them to a Black & Decker Service Center listed in the yellow pages under "Tools - Electric" so that the trimmers can be repaired at no cost to the consumer.
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.