CPSC Recall in 2001: CPSC, Snapper Announce Recall of Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers

PRODUCT: Mowers - Snapper Inc., of McDonough, Ga., is recalling 20,000 walk-behind rotary lawn mowers with model number MR216015T, which were sold nationwide through Snapper dealers between September 1, 1999 and July 1, 2001 for between $300 and $360. All of the recalled units have Tecumseh engines.PROBLEM: Lawn mowers that have a serial number beginning with a 0 may exhibit improper blade retention that could injure the operator or a bystander if the blade separates from the mower's housing.In addition, all Snapper mowers purchased after January 1, 2001, with serial numbers between 11020001-11024924, may have crankshafts that also adversely affect blade retention and require modification by a Snapper dealer.Serial numbers are located on a silver label on the rear of the deck behind the engine as indicated by an arrow in the photograph shown below.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: No reports of blade separation have been received. No injuries have been reported.WHAT TO DO: Consumers who have not received a notice from Snapper regarding this matter or have not been contacted by their Snapper dealer should stop using the MR216015T immediately and return it to the Snapper dealer where purchased for an inspection and possible repair. For more information, contact the Snapper Customer Relations Center at (800) 935-2967 between 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDST Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDST on Saturday. Consumers can also contact Snapper through their web site at www.snapper.com.

Lawn mowers that have a serial number beginning with a 0 may exhibit improper blade retention that could injure the operator or a bystander if the blade separates from the mower's housing.

Repair

No reports of blade separation have been received. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled mowers were sold nationwide through Snapper dealers between September 1, 1999 and July 1, 2001 for between $300 and $360.