June
26, 2001
Husqvarna Forest & Garden Co., of Charlotte,
N.C.; John Deere Consumer Products Inc., of Moline, Ill.; Makita U.S.A. Inc.,
of La Mirada, Calif.; Carswell Import & Marketing Associates Inc., of
Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Tilton Equipment Co., of Rye, N.H. recalling about
50,500 backpack blowers. The fuel tanks on these blowers can leak, posing a fire
hazard and risk of burn injuries to consumers.
Carswell has received 159 reports of leaking fuel tanks on these blowers.
Makita U.S.A has received 55 reports of leaks. John Deere has received five
reports of leaks. No injuries have been reported. The other firms have not had
reports of leaks.
The recalled blowers all have their brand name, model number and serial number
written on the units. Consumers should check with the manufacturer to determine
if their blower is part of the recall. Consumers should have their serial
number available when they contact the firm. Home centers, hardware stores and
manufacturer dealers nationwide sold these blowers for between $400 and $750.
Manufacturer: Husqvarna Forest &
Garden Co.
Model Number: 155BT and 155BF
Dates Sold: Sold from June 1998 through
June 2001
Toll-Free Number/Web Site: (800) 438-7297 http://www.husqvarna.com/
Manufacturer: John Deere Consumer Products
Inc.
Model Number: UT 26113, UT08093 and
UT08104
Dates Sold: Sold from January 1998
through April 2001
Toll-Free Number/Web Site: (800) 537-8233 http://www.johndeere.com/
Manufacturer: Makita U.S.A. Inc.
Model Number: RBL500
Dates Sold: Sold from March 1997 through
January 2001
Toll-Free Number/Web Site: (800) 625-4828 http://www.makitaope.com/
Manufacturer: Carswell Import & Marketing
Associates Inc.
Model Number: FL500
Dates Sold: Sold from December 1996
through June 2001
Toll-Free Number/Web Site: (800) 929-1948 http://www.carswelldist.com/
Manufacturer: Tilton Equipment Co.
Model Number: TB50
Dates Sold: Sold from August 2000
through May 2001
Toll-Free Number/Web Site: (800) 447-1152 http://www.tiltonequipment.com/
Consumers should stop using the recalled blowers immediately, and contact
the manufacturer to have their blower repaired free of charge.