Recall: Lawn Mowers Recalled by Ariens Co.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 14, 2001 Release # 01-106

Lawnmower Recall Hotline:(877) 740-7060 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058

CPSC, Ariens Co. Announce Recall of Lawn Mowers

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Ariens Co., of Brillion, Wis., is recalling about 40,000 walk-behind lawn mowers sold under the Ariens, Scotts, and Husqvarna brand names. The piece attaching the blade to the mower can crack and break off. The broken piece or the blade can be propelled from underneath the mower, possibly injuring the operator or a bystander.

Ariens Co. has received four reports of the broken piece or detached blade being propelled from underneath the mower. One consumer was struck in the leg and received a bruise.

The recalled Ariens, Scotts, and Husqvarna rotary lawn mowers are walk- behind, 21-inch gas-powered mowers. The Ariens mower has an orange mower deck with black handlebars. The Husqvarna and Scotts mowers have an orange mower deck with gray handlebars. A label on the top of the deck area behind the engine of the mowers has the following model and serial numbers:



Ariens and Husqvarna dealers, and department and home center stores, including Home Depot (which only sold the Scotts brand), sold these mowers nationwide from December 1999 through October 2000 for between $360 and $800.

Consumers should stop using these recalled mowers immediately and return them to an authorized dealer for free repair. To locate the nearest dealer or for more information, call Ariens toll-free at (877) 740-7060 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday. Consumers also can go to the Ariens web site at www.ariens.com/lawn_safety_recall/ or the Husqvarna web site at http://www.husqvarna.com/news/shl_news.htm.