| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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| May 8, 1984 |
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| Release # 84-030 |
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New Notice To Identify And Correct Rototillers That Lock In Reverse
Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced new efforts by Sears, Roebuck and Co,, and Roper Corporation to notify consumers of potential hazards associated with certain rototillers sold by them from 1963-1980. These tillers have a clutch locking button that allows the tiller to be locked in reverse. The firms have received over 20 reports of injuries, the most severe occurring when the tillers reportedly backed over users causing severe lacerations, fractures, or amputations to their legs.
Sears will place posters at various locations in its stores to inform customers of a modification kit to eliminate the clutch locking mechanism. The free kit is easy to install and is designed to allow the consumer to operate the tiller without excess hand fatigue.
The Sears effort is aimed at reaching additional consumers who have not yet received word that the kit is available. Last year, Sears and Roper Corporation, the manufacturer of the tillers, undertook an extensive public notice effort that included paid advertisements in national magazines and various farm and garden publications.
A recall effectiveness study by the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that this notice effort had reached approximately 50 percent of the rototillers owners. The Commission has received a report that, during the past year, at least one additional consumer has been injured by one of the tillers, receiving lacerations to his leg.
Consumers with model numbers beginning with the numbers 917 can call the Roper toll-free Hotline at 800-435-5117 (in Illinois call collect l-815-937-68561, to find out if they have one of the tillers and get the free modification kit.
Consumers may get information from the CPSC toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC. The teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.