Lawn Mower Recalls Issued Amid Reports of Blades Breaking

Recalls have been issued for more than 50,000 lawn mowers sold by Toro and Exmark, following reports of the blades detaching during use, which may pose a serious injury risk for users and bystanders.  

The two lawn mower recalls were announced by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) on December 10, following at least 10 consumer complaints that the lawn mower blades became loose or detached completely during the use of the mower. Although no injuries have been reported, this could lead to lacerations, fractures or other serious injuries.

The Toro lawn mower recall is the largest, including about 46,100 Toro TimeMaster and TurfMaster walk-behind lawn mowers with model number 20199 with serial numbers ranging from 313000101 to 313020271; model number 20200 with serial numbers ranging from 313000101 to 313007366; and model number 22200 with serial numbers ranging from 313000101 to 313007146. The mowers are red and black and have the phrases “Toro” and “TurfMaster” printed on the front as well as the word “Toro” printed on the side.

The Toro mowers were manufactured in Mexico under the Toro Company of Bloomberg, Minnesota where they were distributed for sale to Toro dealers nationwide from November 2012 to October 2013, for between $999 and $1,799.

An Exmark lawn mower recall affects roughly 7,230 Exmark Commercial 30” Walk-Behind mowers with model number ECKA30 and serial numbers ranging from 313605897 to 313660824. The affected mowers have “Exmark” printed on the front and the side and “Commercial 30” printed on the front.

The recalled Exmark mowers were manufactured in Mexico under Exmark Manufacturing Inc. of Beatrice, Nebraska where they were distributed for sale exclusively at Exmark dealers nationwide from November 2012 to October 2013 for about $1,800.

The CPSC recommends that customers stop using affected lawn mowers immediately and contact either Toro at (855) 340-7686 or visit them online at www.toro.com; or Exmark at (800) 667-5296 or by visiting them online at www.exmark.com to receive a free repair.