Shindaiwa Inc. Recall of Hedge Trimmers

Shindaiwa Inc. Recall of Hedge Trimmers NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 15, 2004 Release # 04-121 Firm’s Hotline: (800) 521-7733 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 CPSC, Shindaiwa Inc. Announce Recall of Hedge Trimmers WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturer named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. Name of product: Gasoline-Powered Professional Hedge Trimmers Units: 15,000 Manufacturer/Importer: Shindaiwa Inc., of Tualatin, Ore. Hazard: The muffler’s retaining bolts can allow the muffler to come loose from the engine while the hedge trimmer is in operation. A loose muffler can contact and damage the fuel tank creating a fire hazard. More than 59,000 Shindaiwa hedge trimmers were recalled in October 2003 because of a leaking fuel cap. Incidents/Injuries: Shindaiwa has received 26 reports of mufflers coming loose and damaging the fuel tank, and one report of a fire that resulted in the operator suffering minor burns. Description: The 30-inch and 40-inch hedge trimmers have red engine covers, a red fuel cap and a label on the recoil starter that reads “Professional Shindaiwa.” The recall includes all double-sided professional hedge trimmer models DH 231 and HT 231 with serial numbers up to 110000. The serial numbers are printed on a nameplate on the engine cover. Sold at: Shindaiwa dealers nationwide from January 2001 through November 2003 for between $369 and $450. Manufactured in: Japan Remedy: Stop using these hedge trimmers and return them to an authorized Shindaiwa dealer to have the muffler bolts replaced free of charge. Consumer Contact: Shindaiwa toll-free at (800) 521-7733 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.