| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| January 15, 1985 | |
| Release # 85-002 |
(Washington, D.C.) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with K & S Industries, A Division of Cosco, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, today announced a voluntary repair program of 23,240 K & S Brushcutter/Monofilament Trimmers because the blade may separate from the brushcutter. K & S Industries is aware of 11 occurrences in which the blade separation has resulted in laceration injuries to the feet and legs of the users.
The blade will come off if the brushcutter head if not properly aligned with the drive plate or if the retaining bolt is not tight. Only those brushcutter/trimmers identified under the trade name of K & S Industries, Models No. Trim-All TA-1200, TA-1200X, Combo 87-1633, and Estate Trimmer E-1200 are subject to the repair program. The model numbers may be found on a decal located in the middle of the shaft and the brand name may be found on the engine frame above the starter pull handle. The names Cosco, Inc. and K&S appear in the owner's manual. All of the brushcutter/trimmers have a red engine, chrome handle, and black plastic lower guard.
The product sold nationwide by K & S Industries from February 1, 1982 to August 9, 1984 through a variety of stores for approximately $189.95.
K & S Industries is providing a free replacement kit to all owners of the affected brushcutter/trimmers. The kit consists of a blade assembly, bolt, Allen wrench, and instruction sheet. Consumers may continue to use the string trimmer attachment but are warned not to use the brushcutter attachment until the parts in the replacement kit have been installed. The replacement bolt is a special bolt made for this application and should not be replaced with a substitute. Consumers are urged to retighten the blade retaining bolt before each use and, during use to stop, turn off the unit, and check it periodically.
Consumers may receive a free replacement kit by calling Cosco Customer Service Department, collect at 812-372-2154 be- tween 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday or write to K & S Industries, Division of Cosco, Inc., 2525 State Street, Columbus, Indiana 47201, Attention: Customer Service Department.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to help 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 40 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 @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.
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