Company recalling 95,700 riding lawn mowers because fuel tank can crack

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A Tennessee company is recalling 95,700 riding lawn mowers because the fuel tanks can crack and cause a fire hazard. <br><br>Murray Inc., of Brentwood, has received 950 reports of leaking

Tuesday, March 5th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A Tennessee company is recalling 95,700 riding lawn mowers because the fuel tanks can crack and cause a fire hazard.

Murray Inc., of Brentwood, has received 950 reports of leaking fuel tanks, resulting in six fires that led to one report of minor burns, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday.

The company's voluntary recall includes 89,500 rear-engine riding lawn mowers with 30-inch cutting decks sold between January 1995 and January 2002 under the brand names Murray, Murray Select, Craftsman and Wizard. The recall includes 19 model numbers, which can be found under the seat or on a nameplate on the mower's rear. The mowers were sold by department and hardware stores, including Sears, Western Auto and Home Depot, which priced them between $700 and $1,200.

The recall also involves 6,200 mid-engine riding mowers with 30-inch cutting decks sold under the brand names Murray and Yard King. Three model numbers are included that were sold between February 2001 and January 2002 for $800 to $950.

The CPSC advised consumers to stop using the riding mowers immediately and to contact the nearest Murray service dealer for a free replacement fuel tank.

For more information, consumers can call Murray at 1-800-246-5896 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST. Consumers with Craftsman rear-engine mowers should contact Sears anytime at 1-800-659-7026.