CPSC, Five Firms Announce Recall of Backpack Blowers

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2001
Release # 01-178

CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Yolanda Fultz-Morris, (301) 504-7066

CPSC, Five Firms Announce Recall of Backpack Blowers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), five firms are recalling about 50,500 backpack blowers. The fuel tanks on these blowers can leak, posing a fire hazard and risk of burn injuries to consumers.

The following firms are conducting this recall: Husqvarna Forest & Garden Co., of Charlotte, N.C.; John Deere Consumer Products Inc., of Moline, Ill.; Makita U.S.A. Inc., of La Mirada, Calif.; Carswell Import & Marketing Associates Inc., of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Tilton Equipment Co., of Rye, N.H.

Carswell has received 159 reports of leaking fuel tanks on these blowers. Makita U.S.A has received 55 reports of leaks. John Deere has received five reports of leaks. No injuries have been reported. The other firms have not had reports of leaks.

The recalled blowers all have their brand name, model number and serial number written on the units. Consumers should check with the manufacturer to determine if their blower is part of the recall. Consumers should have their serial number available when they contact the firm.

Manufacturer	Model Number	Dates Sold	Toll-Free Number/Web Site
Husqvarna Forest & Garden Co.	155BT and 155BF	Sold from June 1998 through June 2001	(800) 438-7297 www.husqvarna.com
John Deere Consumer Products Inc.	UT 26113, UT08093 and UT08104	Sold from January 1998 through April 2001	(800) 537-8233 www.johndeere.com
Makita U.S.A. Inc.	RBL500	Sold from March 1997 through January 2001	(800) 625-4828 www.makitaope.com
Carswell Import & Marketing Associates Inc.	FL500	Sold from December 1996 through June 2001	(800) 929-1948 www.carswelldist.com
Tilton Equipment Co.	TB50	Sold from August 2000 through May 2001	(800) 447-1152 www.tiltonequipment.com

Home centers, hardware stores and manufacturer dealers nationwide sold these blowers for between $400 and $750.

Consumers should stop using the recalled blowers immediately, and contact the manufacturer to have their blower repaired free of charge.

Picture of Recalled Tilton Equipment Co. Blower

The Tilton Equipment Co. Blower

One of the John Deere Blowers

The other John Deere Blower

The Husqvarna Blower

The Carswell Blower

The Makita Blower