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Consumers beware: When the temperature dips low, and it is time to clear the dust from your snowblower and service flat tires, the tire rims could act like a grenade. In 2006, MTD Product Inc. recalled a series of 130,000 snow blowers with defective wheel-rims made from a dangerous plastic composite that easily exploded and fragmented. Years after the recall, consumers are still suffering severe injuries. MTD, a manufacturer of lawn machines, by and the Consumer Products Safety Commission recalled the machines due to hundreds of injuries inflicted on consumers when they filled the defective tires on these snow blowers, and the tires exploded with extreme force – sending plastic shrapnel flying with extreme force and causing severe fractures, lacerations and facial injuries. This tire rim exploded after inflation. The plastic shrapnel fired off at a high rate of speed and fractured the thumb of a bystander so severely it required surgery and pinning to repair. The snow blowers were sold at Home Depot and Sears (under the Craftsman logo) and many other local hardware stores. Despite the recall six years ago, many recalled machines with the defective tires remain in use, posing a threat to unknowing consumers. Each year since the reacall, Sheller, P.C. has been contacted by numerous people who have suffered from broken bones, lacerations, among other injuries. If you have an MTD snow blower, please contact Sheller, P.C. in determining whether it is among the recalled machines and do not attempt to fill the tires. Sheller, P.C. continues to investigate and monitor the recall status. If you did fill the tires and it exploded causing an injury we, can assist you in getting compensation for your injuries.

We have resolved dozens of cases for injured consumers. Please contact Jamie Sheller Esq. at 1-800-883-2299

MTD Snow Throwers Recalled – Plastic Wheel Rims Can Burst and Injure Users WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm listed below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. To access color photos of recalled products, go to the Commission’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.Name of Product: Two-Stage Compact Snow Throwers

Units: About 130,000 Manufacturer: MTD Products Inc, of Cleveland, Ohio

Hazard: If the snow thrower’s tires are over-inflated, the plastic wheel rims can burst, posing a risk of lacerations and fractures.
Incidents/Injuries: MTD has received reports of 16 injuries, including fractured fingers, a broken toe, and facial lacerations.
Description: The recalled two-stage compact snow thrower is used for snow removal. The snow thrower has two wheels and comes in red, green, gray or black. Troy-Bilt, Yard Machines or Craftsman is printed on the snow thrower’s housing. The model number is located on the snow thrower’s rear frame. The model numbers included in this recall are listed below.Brand Model Snow Thrower

Troy-Bilt 31AS3BB2766 5.5 HP 24-inch Two Stage
Yard Machine 31A-3AAD700 5 HP 22-inch Two Stage
31A-3BAD700 5.5 HP 22-inch Two Stage
31A-3BAD729 5.5 HP 22-inch Two Stage
31A-3BAD752 5.5 HP 22-inch Two Stage
31A-3BAD762 5.5 HP 22-inch Two Stage
31AS3DDE729 7 HP 24-inch Two Stage
Craftsman 247.88255 5.5 HP 24-inch Two Stage
247.88700 5 HP 22-inch Two Stage
Sold at: The Troy-Bilt and Yard Machines snow throwers were sold at independent dealers, home improvement and hardware stores. The Craftsman brand snow throwers were sold at Sears and Kmart stores. Affected snow throwers were sold from July 2004 through March 2006 for between $500 and $800.

 

We have resolved dozens of cases for injured consumers. Please contact Sheller, P.C. at 1-800-883-2299

 

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