CPSC, The Toro Company Announce Recall of Riding Mowers

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 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.

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.

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.

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.