December 2, 2003
Name
of product:
Weed and Brush Cutters
Units: 63,600
Manufacturer: Bachtold Brothers Inc., of Gibson City, Ill.
Hazard: The operator can come in contact with the rotating blade, even
when disengaged, by pulling on the front of the mower deck while the engine is
running, posing a serious injury hazard to consumers.
Description: The recalled Weed and Brush Cutters have an orange or green
body and include the W-24 models, sold under the Bachtold Whipper, DR Field
& Brush Mower, and B-800 (with a 77-100 deck) brand names. The brand name
is printed on the drive box between the engine and the left wheel. DR
All-Terrain Field & Brush mowers manufactured by Country Home Products are
not included in this recall.
Sold through: The brush cutters were sold through Country Home Products'
catalogues, as well as independent distributors nationwide, from January 1978
through April 2001 for between $950 and $1,600. The County Home Products Web
site sold the brush cutters between 1989 and 1999.
Manufactured in: United States.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the units immediately and contact
Bachtold if you have the Whipper or B-800 models or contact Country Home
Products if you have the DR Field & Brush model to receive a free repair
kit. The repair involves the installation of a mechanism that will shut down
the engine if and when the operator takes his/her hands off the handlebar.
Consumer Contact: Call Bachtold Brothers toll-free at (877) 784-5161
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or Country Home Products
toll-free at (877) 595-3668 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday
and between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday.