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NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs |
Washington, DC 20207 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2001 Release #
01-128 |
Company Phone Number: (800) 433-5640 CPSC
Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson or
Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052 or 1189
|
Backpack Blowers Recalled by Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA
PRODUCT:
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. 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 0X50001
through 0X50700 0Y50001 through 0Y50700 |
TEX54D-AE80 159675 through
160384 TEX54D-AE80 160901 through 161600 TEX54D-AE80 162056 through
162755 |
TMC KTBL-5600XA |
56010001 through 56011050 |
TEX54D-AF70 161701 through
162050 TEX54D-BF70 172943 through
173642 |
PROBLEM: The engine exhaust
can emit flames, posing fire and burn hazards to
consumers.
INCIDENTS/INJURIES: Kawasaki has received two reports
of flames coming out of the engine exhaust. No injuries have been
reported.
WHAT TO DO: 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.
ASTRON |
TMC |