Backpack blowers being recalled

Tuesday, April 25th 2006, 2:33 pm

By: News On 6

About 170,000 RedMax Gas-Powered Backpack Blowers, imported by Komatsu Zenoah America, doing business as RedMax, because the muffler support bracket can break, creating an opening in the muffler body. Hot exhaust gases could then escape from the muffler and could melt the fuel tank or ignite grease, oil or debris around the fuel tank, posing a fire hazard. RedMax has received five reports of units that have caught fire. No injuries have been reported.

The backpack blowers have model numbers EB6200, EB7000, EB7001 and EB7001RH on the body along with ``RedMax,'' ``Zenoah'' and ``Komatsu.'' They were sold by RedMax dealers nationwide from December 1996 through December 2005.

Consumers should stop using the backpack blowers. For more information call 866-217-4152 or visit www.redmax.com or www.cpsc.gov.

_About 87,000 Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers, imported by Shindaiwa, because the muffler support bracket can break, creating an opening in the muffler body. Hot exhaust gases could then escape from the muffler and melt the fuel tank or ignite grease or debris around the fuel tank, posing a fire hazard. Shindaiwa received one report of fire. No injuries have been reported.

The backpack blowers have model numbers EB630 or EB630RT printed on the body along with Shindaiwa. They were sold by Shindaiwa dealers nationwide from July 1999 through February 2006.

Consumers should stop using the backpack blowers. For more information call 800-521-7733 or visit www.shindaiwa.com or www.cpsc.gov.