IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE TO STIHL CUSTOMERS

STIHL Recalls to Repair Mini-Cultivator Attachments Due to Laceration Hazard

Recall Summary

Name of Product: STIHL BF-KM Mini-Cultivator attachments

Hazard: The gearbox could have mistakenly been installed upside down by the STIHL dealer causing the tines to rotate backwards toward the operator, posing a laceration hazard to the user.

Remedy: Repair. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mini-cultivator attachment and take it to an authorized STIHL servicing dealer for a free inspection and free proper assembly.

Consumer Contact: STIHL Inc. at 800-233-4729 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, e-mail at [email protected] or online at www.stihlusa.com and click on “Information” and then “Product Recalls” and then “BF-KM recall” for more information.

Recall Details

Units: About 185,000

Description: The recalled mini-cultivator is one of 15 interchangeable attachments to the STIHL KombiMotor KM model powerheads, which are sold separately. The mini-cultivator is used to break up loose soil. It has four black discs with tines mounted to a gearbox and attached to a metal drive tube with a black deflector. The mini-cultivator attachment should have been assembled by the STIHL dealer and not sold in a box or assembled by the consumer. The recalled mini-cultivator attachments are those with the gearbox installed upside down.

Incidents/Injuries: STIHL Inc. has received 12 reports of incidents, including six reports of lacerations to consumers.

Sold at: Authorized STIHL servicing dealers nationwide from January 2005 through August 2020 for about $190.

Manufacturer: STIHL Incorporated, of Virginia Beach, VA.

Manufactured in: United States

Recalled mini-cultivator (the gearbox is mounted incorrectly and upside down). The axle is above the drive tube when the locating lug for coupling to the powerhead is facing up.

Proper assembly of mini-cultivator attachment with the gearbox mounted so that the axle is below the drive tube when the locating lug for the coupling to the powerhead at the other end is facing up.

Recalled mini-cultivator attachment. Close-up of gearbox mounted upside down so that the axle is above the drive tube.

Properly assembled mini-cultivator attachment with the gearbox mounted so that the axle is below the drive tube.

 This recall was conducted voluntarily by the company under CPSC’s Fast Track Recall process. Fast Track recalls are initiated by firms who commit to work with CPSC to quickly announce the recall and remedy to protect consumers.

About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

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