Recall: The Toro Company Recalls Riding Mowers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 21, 2002 Release # 02-125

Toro Recall Hotline: (800) 225-0578 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Yolanda Fultz-Morris, (301) 504-7066

CPSC, The Toro Company Announce Recall of Riding Mowers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 13,000 Toro-brand commercial-grade riding mowers. The riding mower's exhaust system can ignite fuel vapors from spilled fuel if the engine backfires.

Toro has received 10 reports of fires caused when these mowers backfired and ignited nearby fuel vapors. One serious burn injury was reported. Property damage was limited to varying degrees of damage to the mowers.

The recall includes Toro-brand Zmaster Z100 series riding mowers. They are red, equipped with 17 to 23 horsepower engines and have mowing decks from 44 to 52 inches. The mowers have independently controlled rear-drive wheels, front casters, and a centrally mounted mowing deck. The brand and model names (Toro Zmaster) appear on the front of the mower.

Toro dealers nationwide sold these riding mowers between January 1998 and December 2001 for between $6,000 and $7,300.

Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled mowers and contact Toro or their local Toro dealer to determine if their riding mower's model numbers and serial numbers are included in the recall. The model and serial number are located on a decal located on the right side of the operating console below the seat. If needed, the dealer will schedule a repair of the riding mower's exhaust system. For more information, contact Toro at (800) 225-0578 anytime or visit the firm's web site at www.Toro.com.

Some of these riding mowers previously were recalled in March 2001. Even if consumers previously had their riding mower repaired, they need to contact Toro for this additional repair.

Toro Timecutter Z and Wheel Horse residential duty riding mowers are not part of this recall.