The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·04183·Announced 2004-07-20

Simplicity Recalls Lawn Tractors and Riding Mowers for Safety Switch Defect

Simplicity Manufacturing is recalling 5,900 lawn tractors and riding mowers because the seat safety switch may fail to stop the blade within five seconds of the operator leaving the seat.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (laceration and amputation hazard) where injury has not yet been reported, which aligns with the High severity criteria in the rubric.

Plain-English summary

Simplicity Manufacturing Inc. is recalling approximately 5,900 lawn tractors and riding mowers sold under the Simplicity, AGCO, and Massey Ferguson brand names. The affected models include Regent/500/2500 Series lawn tractors, Coronet/2400 Series riding mowers, and Lancer/4400 Series riding mowers. These products were sold at independent lawn mower dealers nationwide from June 2003 through May 2004 for between $2,000 and $3,750.

The recall is due to a defect in the safety switch located under the seat. This switch is designed to stop the mower blade from turning within five seconds of the operator leaving the seat. On the recalled units, the blades can continue to turn for longer than five seconds after the operator leaves, posing a laceration and amputation hazard. No injuries have been reported in connection with this defect.

Consumers should contact the dealership where the lawn tractor or riding mower was purchased to have a free replacement seat safety switch installed. For more information, consumers can call Simplicity at (800) 357-8244 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, visit the company's website at www.simplicitymfg.com, or write to Simplicity Manufacturing, 500 N. Spring Street, Port Washington, WI 53074.

The recalled product

Product
Lawn Tractors and Riding Mowers
Manufacturer
Simplicity Manufacturing Inc., of Port Washington, Wis.
Category
Consumer Product — Lawn Mowers
Hazard
Affected units
5,900

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · laceration

See all →