The Toro Company Reannounces Recall of Electric Blowers Due to Projectile Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Toro Power Sweep Electric Blowers

Units: About 900,000 (This recall was first announced in July 2007)

Manufacturer: The Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn.

Hazard: The blower's impeller, which is a rotating component on the blower, can break, resulting in pieces of plastic flying out of the blower. This poses a risk of serious injury to the user or a bystander.

Incidents/Injuries: Toro has received 162 reports of broken impellers, including 28 reports of minor cuts and bruises resulting from projected impeller pieces.

Description: The recall involves Toro Power Sweep electric blower model 51586 that was manufactured between 2000 and 2002. The recalled units have serial numbers that range between 000055100 and 220255609. There are two decals on the main housing of the blower. One decal reads, "TORO Power Sweep" and the decal on the opposite side of the blower contains the model number and serial number (shown by the letter "A" in the picture below). The recalled units can be identified by a black impeller fan, which can be seen through the air inlet screen on the bottom of the unit.

Sold through: Toro dealers and various mass retailers nationwide including The Home Depot, Lowes, Target and K-Mart stores from January 2000 through late December 2002 for about $32.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled blowers immediately and contact Toro to receive a replacement blower.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Toro at (888) 279-3191 between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday. Consumers can also visit the Toro web site at www.toro.com. The Toro Company has notified registered owners directly.