March 28, 2011 – Two importers of backpack blowers have issued voluntary recalls of more than 22,000 units in the U.S. and Canada due to risk of fire hazards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has released recall notices from importers Maruyama and Kawasaki Motor Corp. for their lines of gasoline-powered backpack blowers. In all models it has been found that a flaw in the gasoline tank can cause it to split and leak, creating a potential fire hazard. Backpack blowers and mister dusters imported and sold under the Maruyama brand name that are affected by the recall include model and serial numbers:
- Model BL5100CA, s/n 30821911 – 60922200;
- Model BL5100-SP, s/n 80924201 – 80924650;
- Model BL5100-HA, s/n 51021391 – 81021310;
- Model BL8200, s/n 50920961 – 80924200;
- Model BL8200-HA, s/n 70925031 – 90921910;
- Model BL8101, s/n 10921151 – 10922150;
- Model MD155DX-US, s/n 90922861 – 90924610;
- Model MD155DX-US, s/n O0920231 – O0920530;
- Model MD155DX-CA2, s/n O0920531 – O0921130; and
- Model MD159D, s/n 60822621 – 80821300.
There are an estimated 18,000 units in the U.S. and 750 in Canada. The defective units were sold from April 2008 through December 2010 at authorized dealers across the continent. Maruyama received 25 notices of leaking gasoline tanks but no injuries. The Backpack blowers sold under the Kawasaki Motor brand name and affected by the recall include model and serial numbers:
- Model KRB750A-A4, serial numbers 12907, 12955, 12980, 12985, 12996, 13051, 13054, 13063, 13103, 13113, 13116, 13117, 13119, 13120, 13121, 13124, 13130, 13131, 13132, 13133, 13134, 13135, 13137, 13138, 13140, 13141, 13142, 13145, 13147, 13152, 13159, 13192, 13193, 13246, 13247, and 13248; and
- Models KRB750B-A3, KRB750B-A4, KRB750B-A5 and KRB750B-B1 (Canada Only), serial numbers 10380 to 11339, 11628 to 12107, 12156 to 12635, 13380 to 13529, 13536 to 13543, 13548 to 13859, 14077 to 14388, 14390, 14398 to 14400, 14411 to 14556.
The 3,400 U.S. units and 100 Canada units were sold by authorized dealers from August 2008 through February 2011. No incidents or injuries have been reported. Backpack blower owners with models affected by the recall should contact their dealer for information on returning their unit for a replacement fuel tank.
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