April 15, 2004
Shindaiwa is recalling about 15,000 gasoline-powered professional hedge trimmers.
The mufflers retaining bolts can allow the muffler to come loose from the engine while the hedge trimmer is in operation. A loose muffler can contact and damage the fuel tank creating a fire hazard.
More than 59,000 Shindaiwa hedge trimmers were recalled in October 2003 because of a leaking fuel cap.
Shindaiwa has received 26 reports of mufflers coming loose and damaging the fuel tank, and one report of a fire that resulted in the operator suffering minor burns.
The 30-inch and 40-inch hedge trimmers have red engine covers, a red fuel cap and a label on the recoil starter that reads Professional Shindaiwa. The recall includes all double-sided professional hedge trimmer models DH 231 and HT 231 with serial numbers up to 110000. The serial numbers are printed on a nameplate on the engine cover.
The hedge trimmers were sold by Shindaiwa dealers nationwide from January 2001 through November 2003 for between $369 and $450.
Consumers should stop using these hedge trimmers and return them to an authorized Shindaiwa dealer to have the muffler bolts replaced free of charge.
Consumer Contact: Shindaiwa toll-free at (800) 521-7733 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.
The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
