MTD Recalls Log Splitters Due to Amputation Hazard

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2009
Release # 10-062  Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 848-6038

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983  

MTD Recalls Log Splitters Due to Amputation Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Log Splitters

Units: About 26,000 in the United States and 2,100 in Canada

Manufacturer: MTD Products Inc, of Cleveland, Ohio

Hazard: The control handle of the log splitter could fail to automatically return to the neutral position as it should and could fail to stop the splitting wedge from moving forward, posing a risk of amputation to consumers’ hands and fingers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The following log splitter brand names and model numbers are included in this recall. They were sold in red, black and yellow in 21, 25, 27 and 33 ton models. The model number is located on the frame near the engine. Log splitters manufactured from November 2008 through October 2009 are included in this recall. Only models with certain serial numbers are included in this recall.

Brand Name, Model Number, Sold In:
MTD Gold, 24BF510B004, Hardware Stores  
MTD Gold, 24BF510E204, Hardware Stores  
MTD Gold, 24BF570L004, Hardware Stores  
MTD Gold, 24BF570F204, Hardware Stores  
Troy-Bilt, 24BF572B766, Hardware Stores
Troy-Bilt, 24AD597D766, Hardware Stores  
Troy-Bilt, 24BF572B711, Lowe's  
Troy-Bilt, 24AD597D711, Lowe's  
Yard Machines, 24BF552B729, Home Depot
Yard Machines, 24BF550B029, Home Depot & Walmart
Cub Cadet, 24BF572B756, Home Depot
Cub Cadet, 24BF572B710, Independent Dealers
Cub Cadet, 24AD598A010, Independent Dealers
Troy-Bilt, 24BF572B766, Independent Dealers
Troy-Bilt, 24AD597D766, Independent Dealers
MTD, 24BF550M006, Walmart & Menards
Craftsman, 247.77640, Sears
Craftsman, 247.77641, Sears

Additional recalled log splitter models were sold in Canada. See the Canadian press release with Canadian model information.

Sold at: Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, Sears, Walmart, hardware stores and by independent dealers from November 2008 through October 2009 for between $1,000 and $2,300.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled log splitters and contact MTD Products Inc. to determine if their log splitter is included in the recall, to receive inspection instructions and to receive a free repair if needed.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact MTD toll free at (888) 848-6038 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. ET, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.mtdproducts.com

(see attached photo)

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.