Brave Products Reannounces Recall of Log Splitters; Additional Incidents Prompt Urgent Warning of Amputation Hazard
Log Splitters
Date of Recall
2009-04-01CPSC Release Number
09-174Manufactured In
United StatesCompany Phone Number
(800) 350-8739Units
About 8,000 units were recalled in July 2007; 4,000 additional units were recalled in February 2005Manufacturer
Brave Products Inc., of Streator, Ill.Sold By
Ace, True Value, and Do It Best Hardware stores and independent power equipment dealers nationwide from January 2002 through April 2007 for between $900 and $2,000.Problem/Hazard
The log splitter’s hydraulic cylinders can have defective rod retention, causing the seals to leak and the rods to detach. This can result in serious injury to the operator, as the rod can rapidly and unexpectedly extend the splitting wedge.Injuries/Incidents
Brave Products originally received 59 reports of leaking cylinders and/or rod retention failure. One consumer reported a hand amputation that could have been caused by this cylinder defect. There have been 26 additional reports of failure, including units previously thought to be unaffected by the earlier recalls. No new injuries have been reported.Description
The log splitters are made of steel and painted orange and black, or blue and black. They have trailer hitches and rubber tires. Each log splitter has a decal on the side that reads “Brave Products, Inc.” or “Iron & Oak” and “__ ton” (either 15, 22, 26, or 34). The following Brave Products or Iron & Oak models are included in the recall:| BRAVE LOG SPLITTER MODELS | SERIAL NUMBER |
|---|---|
| 34 ton-Model VH0234 & VH0634 | S008277 through S030562 |
| 26 ton-Model VH9926 & VH0626 | S006836 through S030558 |
| 22 ton-Model VH9922 & VH0622 | S006691 through S030701 |
| 22 ton-Model SSR0622 | S020721 through S029688 |
| 15 ton-Model HB0115 | S013853 through S017534 |
Remedy
Consumers, including those who contacted the firm after the previously announced recalls, should immediately stop using the recalled log splitters and contact the firm to receive a free replacement cylinder.Consumer Contact
For additional information, contact Brave Products at (800) 350-8739 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or write to: Brave Products Inc., P.O. Box 577, Streator, IL 61364-0577. Consumers also can visit the company’s Web sites at www.logsplitters-ironoak.com (PDF), or www.braveproducts.com (PDF)Recall Comments
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