CPSC, The Toro Company Announce Recall of Riding Mowers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), The Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn., is
voluntarily recalling about 13,000 Toro-brand commercial-grade riding
mowers. The riding mower's exhaust system can ignite fuel vapors from
spilled fuel if the engine backfires.
Toro has received 10 reports of fires caused when these mowers
backfired and ignited nearby fuel vapors. One serious burn injury was
reported. Property damage was limited to varying degrees of damage to
the mowers.
The recall includes Toro-brand Zmaster Z100 series riding mowers.
They are red, equipped with 17 to 23 horsepower engines and have mowing
decks from 44 to 52 inches. The mowers have independently controlled
rear-drive wheels, front casters, and a centrally mounted mowing deck.
The brand and model names (Toro Zmaster) appear on the front of the
mower.
Toro dealers nationwide sold these riding mowers between January
1998 and December 2001 for between $6,000 and $7,300.
Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled mowers and
contact Toro or their local Toro dealer to determine if their riding
mower's model numbers and serial numbers are included in the recall. The
model and serial number are located on a decal located on the right side
of the operating console below the seat. If needed, the dealer will
schedule a repair of the riding mower's exhaust system. For more
information, contact Toro at (800) 225-0578 anytime or visit the firm's
web site at www.Toro.com.
Some of these riding mowers previously were recalled in March
2001. Even if consumers previously had their riding mower repaired, they
need to contact Toro for this additional repair.
Toro Timecutter Z and Wheel Horse residential duty riding mowers
are not part of this recall.
