Name of Product: Log Splitters Units: About 8,000 (4,000 additional units were recalled in February 2005)
Manufacturer: Brave Products Inc., of Streator, Ill. Hazard: The log splitter's hydraulic cylinders can have defective rod retention, causing the seals to leak and the rods to detach. This can result in serious injury to the operator, as the rod can rapidly and unexpectedly extend the splitting wedge. Incidents/Injuries: Brave Products has received 59 additional reports of leaking cylinders and/or rod retention failure. One consumer reported a hand amputation that could have been caused by this cylinder defect. Description: The log splitters are made of steel and painted orange and black, or blue and black. They have trailer hitches and rubber tires. Each log splitter has a decal on the side that reads "Brave Products, Inc." or "Iron & Oak" and "__ ton" (either 15, 22, 26, or 34). The following Brave Products or Iron & Oak models are included in the recall: LOG SPLITTER MODEL: SERIAL NUMBER Brave VH0234 (34 ton): Serial #S008277 through S016976 Brave VH0634 (34 ton): Serial #S026956 through S030562 Brave VH9926 (26 ton): Serial #S006836 through S017534 Brave VH0626 (26 ton): Serial #S026965 through S030558 Brave VH9922 (22 ton): Serial #S006691 through S016862 Brave VH0622 (22 ton): Serial #S026426 through S030701 Brave SR0622 (22 ton): Serial #S020721 through S029688 Brave HB0115 (15 ton): Serial #S013853 through S017534 The following Iron & Oak models are being recalled: LOG SPLITTER MODEL SERIAL NUMBER Model BHVH3402 (34 ton): S008724 through S017729 Model BHVH3405 (34 ton): S027103 through S030442 Model BHVH2699 (26 ton): S006847 through S017720 Model BHVH2699 (26 ton): S026447 through S030538 Model BHVH2299 (22 ton): S006735 through S017714 Model BHVH2202 (22 ton): S026418 through S030547 & DG (Duro-Glide) Model BHVH2299FC (22 ton): S013853 through S017534 & DG (Duro-Glide) Model BHVH2202FC (22 ton): S026999 through S030537 & DG (Duro-Glide) Model BHH3003 (30 ton horizontal): S008457 through S017743 S026993 through S030439 Model BHH2003 (20 ton horizontal): S006746 through S017742 S026560 through S030491 Model BHHB0115 (15 ton horizontal): S013853 through S017534 Model TMVH95/HYD, TMVH02/PTO, TMVH03/HYD: S006645 to S017885 S026736 through S029584 The serial number is located on the hydraulic tank. Sold at: Ace, True Value, and Do It Best Hardware stores and independent power equipment dealers nationwide from January 2002 through October 2004, and from May 2006 through April 2007, for between $900 and $2,000. Manufactured in: United States Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled log splitters and contact Brave Products Inc. to receive a free replacement cylinder. Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Brave Products at (800) 350-8739 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or write to: Brave Products Inc., P.O. Box 577, Streator, Ill. 61364-0577. Consumers also can visit the company's Web sites at www.logsplitters-ironoak.com, or www.braveproducts.com
