Lawn-Boy Inc., of Bloomington, Minn., is recalling about 102,000 Lawn-Boy power mowers. Due to wear caused by the mulch fan, the mowers' blades can crack and break off. Broken pieces of the blade can be propelled from underneath the mower, possibly injuring the operator or a bystander. Lawn-Boy has received eight reports of blades breaking on these mowers, including a consumer who was struck on the shin by a piece of a broken mower blade, resulting in a laceration.

The recalled Lawn-Boy Silver Pro and Gold Pro Series are 2-cycle, walk-behind, 21-inch power mowers. A decal on the right rear of the mower's housing (Silver Pro) or beneath the handle control panel (Gold Pro) has a serial number from 8900001 to 8999999, and one of the following model numbers:

10247     10250     10323     10324     10331     10332
10424     10425     10525     10527     10547     10548

Lawn-Boy dealers, and department and home center stores, including Sears, Lowe's and the Home Depot, sold these mowers from February 1998 through August 2000 for between $400 and $600.

Consumers should stop using these recalled mowers immediately. The company will automatically mail free repair kits, which include a new mower blade and modified mulching fan, to consumers who have registered their mowers. Consumers can have the repair performed for free at a local Lawn-Boy service dealer after receiving the repair kit. Consumers who have not been notified should contact their local Lawn-Boy service dealer for assistance. To locate the nearest Lawn-Boy service dealer or for more information, consumers should call Lawn-Boy at (800) 444-8676 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or go to their website at http://www.lawnboy.com/recall.htm.