April
24, 2001
Kawasaki
Motors Corp. U.S.A., of Irvine, Calif., in cooperation with Star Garden Supply
Inc., of Pico Rivera, Calif., and TMC Power Equipment Inc., of Monterey Park, Calif.,
is voluntarily recalling about 3,000 ASTRON and TMC backpack blowers. The
engine exhaust can emit flames, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.
Kawasaki has received two reports of flames coming out of the engine exhaust.
ASTRON
and TMC dealers nationwide sold the backpack blowers to lawn and garden
companies from October 2000 through February 2001 for about $500. The recalled
backpack blowers were manufactured under two different model names; though,
each uses a TEX54D Kawasaki engine:
The
ASTRON KB-541, which was distributed by Star Garden Supply, model has a red fan
case, with a white fuel tank and black frame. The words, "Astron Backpack
Blower" and the model number are on a label on the gas tank and on a cap
right above the tank.
The
TMC KTBL-5600XA, which was distributed by TMC Power Equipment, has a white fan
case and fuel tank, with a black frame. The model name, "TMC," and
the model number are on a label on the fuel tank, and the name
"Kawasaki" is on a cap right above the tank.
The
blower serial numbers can be found on the blower base of the ASTRON products,
and on the fan case of TMC products. The engine serial numbers can be found at
the bottom of the recoil starter:
Product
Model Blower
Serial No. Ranges Engine Serial No. Ranges
ASTRON KB-541 0950001 through 0950700 TEX54D-AE80 159675 through
160384
0X50001 through 0X50700 TEX54D-AE80
160901 through 161600
0Y50001 through 0Y50700 TEX54D-AE80 162056 through
162755
TMC KTBL-5600XA 56010001 through 56011050 TEX54D-AF70 161701 through 162050
TEX54D-BF70
172943 through 173642
Consumers should stop using the backpack blowers immediately, and call their
local ASTRON or TMC dealer for a free repair. For more information, call
Kawasaki toll-free at (800) 433-5640 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday
through Friday.