ECHO recalls backpack blowers and replacement shoulder straps

ECHO Inc., of Lake Zurich, Ill., is recalling about 67,700 ECHO and Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers and 6,600 replacement straps

The blower’s shoulder straps, plastic buckles, or the anti-static ground wire can be drawn into the blower fan and fan housing causing plastic pieces to be expelled from the machine, posing laceration and impact hazards.

The firm has received 62 reports of incidents, including one minor injury, when pieces of blower were expelled from the machine, hitting a consumer in the neck.

This recall involves ECHO and Shindaiwa brand 2-cycle gas powered commercial backpack blowers with shoulder straps. It also includes replacement shoulder straps.

The model and serial numbers can be found on the blower’s engine block. 

Backpack blower Models	Start Serial Number	End Serial Number
PB-8010H	P48715001001	P48715999999
PB-8010H	P52315001001	P52315011904
PB-8010T	P48615001001	P48615999999
PB-8010T	P52415001001	P52415014244
EB810	P52515001001	P52515002697
EB810RT	P52015001001	P52015999999
EB810RT	P52615001001	P52615003792

Spare Parts – Replacement Straps	Part Number
ECHO Right shoulder strap	P/N C061000780
ECHO Right shoulder strap	P/N C061000781
ECHO Left shoulder strap	P/N C061000790
ECHO Left shoulder strap	P/N C061000791
Shindaiwa Right shoulder strap	P/N C061000861
Shindaiwa Left shoulder strap	P/N C061000871

The ECHO or Shindaiwa logo appears on the shoulder strap, and the replacement strap part number appears on the plastic bag at the time of sale.

The blowers and shoulder straps, manufactured in the U.S., were sold at independent ECHO and Shindaiwa outdoor power equipment dealers and online at www.HomeDepot.com and www.Grainger.com between August 2018, and February 2020, for about $600 for blowers and $30 for replacement straps.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the backpack blowers and return them to an authorized ECHO or Shindaiwa dealer for a free repair.

Consumers may contact ECHO at (800) 432-3246 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday or online at www.echo-usa.com and click on “Product Recalls” at the bottom of the page for more information, or Shindaiwa toll-free at (877) 986-7783 from 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.shindaiwa-usa.com and click on “Product Recalls” at the bottom of the page for more information.