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Moderate Recalled September 30, 2020 About 185,000 units

STIHL Recalls to Repair Mini-Cultivator Attachments Due to Laceration Hazard

The hazard

The gearbox could have mistakenly been installed upside down by the STIHL dealer causing the tines to rotate backwards toward the operator, posing a laceration hazard to the user.

Incidents reported: STIHL Inc. has received 12 reports of incidents, including six reports of lacerations to consumers.

What to do now

Repair

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mini-cultivator attachment and take it to an authorized STIHL servicing dealer for a free inspection and free proper assembly.

Contact: STIHL Inc. at 800-233-4729 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, e-mail at stihlrecall@stihl.us or online at www.stihlusa.com and click on “Information” and then “Product Recalls” and then “BF-KM recall” for more information.

Read the official CPSC notice ↗

Product photos

Recalled mini-cultivator (the gearbox is mounted incorrectly and upside down). The axle is above the drive tube when the locating lug for coupling to the powerhead is facing up.
Recalled mini-cultivator (the gearbox is mounted incorrectly and upside down). The axle is above the drive tube when the locating lug for coupling to the powerhead is facing up.
Recalled mini-cultivator attachment. Close-up of gearbox mounted upside down so that the axle is above the drive tube.
Recalled mini-cultivator attachment. Close-up of gearbox mounted upside down so that the axle is above the drive tube.
Proper assembly of mini-cultivator attachment with the gearbox mounted so that the axle is below the drive tube when the locating lug for the coupling to the powerhead at the other end is facing up.
Proper assembly of mini-cultivator attachment with the gearbox mounted so that the axle is below the drive tube when the locating lug for the coupling to the powerhead at the other end is facing up.
Properly assembled mini-cultivator attachment with the gearbox mounted so that the axle is below the drive tube.
Properly assembled mini-cultivator attachment with the gearbox mounted so that the axle is below the drive tube.

Photos: U.S. CPSC

Full official description

The recalled mini-cultivator is one of 15 interchangeable attachments to the STIHL KombiMotor KM model powerheads, which are sold separately. The mini-cultivator is used to break up loose soil. It has four black discs with tines mounted to a gearbox and attached to a metal drive tube with a black deflector. The mini-cultivator attachment should have been assembled by the STIHL dealer and not sold in a box or assembled by the consumer. The recalled mini-cultivator attachments are those with the gearbox installed upside down.