Three models of lawn tractors with various problems with their gas lines, brakes, and blades are among the consumer product recalls this week. Others include blenders, dehumidifiers, and bicycle trailers for children.
Here’s a look at the details:
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BLENDERS
DETAILS: Chefmate 6-speed blenders manufactured in China by Select Brands of Lenexa, Kan., for Target Corp. and sold nationwide at Target stores from September 2007 to February 2011.
WHY: The plastic pitcher can separate from the blade assembly leaving the rotating blades exposed, posing a laceration hazard.
INCIDENTS: There have been 11 reports of the pitcher separating from blades. Seven resulted in serious lacerations to fingers and hands.
HOW MANY: 304,000
FOR MORE: Call 800-440-0680; visit www.target.com .
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BICYCLE PEDAL TRAILERS
DETAILS: Weehoo iGo Bicycle Pedal Trailers manufactured by Weehoo Inc. of Golden, Colo., and sold at bicycle retail stores nationwide between April and July 2011. The trailer has a steel frame with an adjustable seat. The seat, pannier pockets, and flag are made of red, heavy-duty nylon. They were manufactured in Taiwan.
WHY: The receiver on the trailer’s seat post hitch can crack and cause the trailer to detach, posing fall and crash hazards to the child in the seat.
INCIDENTS: There has been one report of the trailer’s receiver cracking while in use. No injuries have been reported.
HOW MANY: About 2,700
FOR MORE: Call 800-538-6950; visit www.weehoobicycletrailer.com .
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JOHN DEERE LAWN TRACTORS-BRAKES
DETAILS: D100 Lawn tractors manufactured by Deere & Co. of Moline, Ill., and sold at John Deere dealers, Lowe’s, and Home Depot stores nationwide, except California, from October 2010 through September 2011.
WHY: Hardware used to hold the brake assembly to the transmission housing can break. This can cause the brakes to fail.
INCIDENTS: No injuries have been reported.
HOW MANY: About 5,200
FOR MORE: Call 800-537-8233; visit www.johndeere.com .
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JOHN DEERE LAWN TRACTORS-MOWERS
DETAILS: Lawn tractors with model numbers D100, D110, D120, and D130 with 42-inch Edge Cutting System mower decks sold at John Deere dealers, Lowe’s, and Home Depot stores from December 2010 through September 2011.
WHY: Hardware used to hold the mower blade brake assemblies on the mower decks can break causing the mower blades to spin longer than normal after power is shut off, posing a laceration hazard.
INCIDENTS: No injuries have been reported.
HOW MANY: 15,500
FOR MORE: Call 800-537-8233; visit www.johndeere.com .
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KUBOTA LAWN TRACTORS
DETAILS: Kubota riding mowers with 48-inch, 54-inch, or 60-inch wide mower decks manufactured by Kubota Manufacturing of America Corp. of Gainesville, Ga., with certain model numbers beginning with T, GR, or ZG. They were sold at Kubota dealers from April 2010 through April 2011.
WHY: A fuel hose clamp can detach from the fuel filter and allow gas to leak, posing a fire hazard.
INCIDENTS: None reported.
HOW MANY: 6,100
FOR MORE: Call 800-752-0290; visit www.kubota.com .
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DEHUMIDIFIERS
DETAILS: Dehumidifiers manufactured by LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co. in China carrying the Goldstar and Comfort-Aire band names. They were sold at Home Depot, Walmart, Ace Hardware, Do It Best, Orgill Inc., and other retailers from January 2007 through June 2008. First recalled in December 2009.
WHY: The power connector for the dehumidifier’s compressor can short circuit, posing fire and burn hazards.
INCIDENTS: Eleven incidents were initially reported prior to the first recall in 2009, including four significant home fires. Since then 16 additional incidents were reported including nine significant fires. More than $1 million in property damage resulted from dehumidifier fires. Only 2 percent of the units have been repaired since the first recall, so it has been reissued.
HOW MANY: 98,000
FOR MORE: Call 877-220-0479; visit www.30pintdehumidifierrecall.com .
