Recall: Bachtold Brothers Inc. Recall of Brush Cutters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2003 Release # 04-043

Company Phone Number: (877) 784-5161 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC, Bachtold Brothers Inc. Announce Recall of Brush Cutters

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Weed and Brush Cutters

Units: 63,600

Manufacturer: Bachtold Brothers Inc., of Gibson City, Ill.

Hazard: The operator can come in contact with the rotating blade, even when disengaged, by pulling on the front of the mower deck while the engine is running, posing a serious injury hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The company has received eight reports of laceration injuries.

Description: The recalled Weed and Brush Cutters have an orange or green body and include the W-24 models, sold under the Bachtold Whipper, DR Field & Brush Mower, and B-800 (with a 77-100 deck) brand names. The brand name is printed on the drive box between the engine and the left wheel. DR All-Terrain Field & Brush mowers manufactured by Country Home Products are not included in this recall.

Sold through: The brush cutters were sold through Country Home Products' catalogues, as well as independent distributors nationwide, from January 1978 through April 2001 for between $950 and $1,600.

Manufactured in: United States.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the units immediately and contact Bachtold if you have the Whipper or B-800 models or contact Country Home Products if you have the DR Field & Brush model to receive a free repair kit. The repair involves the installation of a mechanism that will shut down the engine if and when the operator takes his/her hands off the handlebar.

Consumer Contact: Call Bachtold Brothers toll-free at (877) 784-5161 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or Country Home Products toll-free at (877) 595-3668 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday. Consumers also can log on to www.bachtoldbros.com or www.weedcutterrecall.com