Two-Stage Compact Snow Throwers
CPSC Recall #07-003 — October 4, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 07-003 |
| Recall Date | October 4, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 130,000 |
| Manufacturer | MTD Products Inc, of Cleveland, Ohio |
| Manufactured In | Canada |
Where It Was Sold
| The Troy-Bilt and Yard Machines snow throwers were sold at independent dealers |
| home improvement and hardware stores. The Craftsman brand snow throwers were sold at Sears and Kmart stores. Affected snow throwers were sold from July 2004 through March 2006 for between $500 and $800. |
Product
Two-Stage Compact Snow Throwers
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), MTD Products Inc, of Cleveland, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 130,000 Two-Stage Compact Snow Throwers. If the snow thrower's tires are over-inflated, the plastic wheel rims can burst, posing a risk of lacerations and fractures.Name of Products: Two-Stage Compact Snow ThrowersUnits: About 130,000Manufacturer: MTD Products Inc, of Cleveland, OhioHazard: If the snow thrower's tires are over-inflated, the plastic wheel rims can burst, posing a risk of lacerations and fractures.Incidents/Injuries: MTD has received reports of 16 injuries, including fractured fingers, a broken toe, and facial lacerations.Description: The recalled two-stage compact snow thrower is used for snow removal. The snow thrower has two wheels and comes in red, green, gray or black. Troy-Bilt, Yard Machines or Craftsman is printed on the snow thrower's housing. The model number is located on the snow thrower's rear frame. The model numbers included in this recall are listed below.BrandModelSnow ThrowerTroy-Bilt31AS3BB27665.5 HP 24-inch Two StageYard Machines31A-3AAD7005 HP 22-inch Two Stage31A-3BAD7005.5 HP 22-inch Two Stage31A-3BAD7295.5 HP 22-inch Two Stage31A-3BAD7525.5 HP 22-inch Two Stage31A-3BAD7625.5 HP 22-inch Two Stage31AS3DDE7297 HP 24-inch Two StageCraftsman247.882555.5 HP 24-inch Two Stage247.887005 HP 22-inch Two StageSold at: The Troy-Bilt and Yard Machines snow throwers were sold at independent dealers, home improvement and hardware stores. The Craftsman brand snow throwers were sold at Sears and Kmart stores. Affected snow throwers were sold from July 2004 through March 2006 for between $500 and $800.Manufactured in: CanadaRemedy: Consumers should contact MTD for a free service kit with pressure relief valves, labels and instructions. Consumers with Craftsman brand snow throwers will be mailed a service kit directly by Sears.Consumer Contact: For more information, contact MTD toll-free at (888) 848-6038 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.mtdproducts.com.
Hazard
If the snow thrower's tires are over-inflated, the plastic wheel rims can burst, posing a risk of lacerations and fractures.
Incidents & Injuries
MTD has received reports of 16 injuries, including fractured fingers, a broken toe, and facial lacerations.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should contact MTD for a free service kit with pressure relief valves, labels and instructions. Consumers with Craftsman brand snow throwers will be mailed a service kit directly by Sears.
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.