The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·07243·Announced 2007-07-24

Brave Products Recalls Log Splitters Due to Hydraulic Cylinder Defect

Brave Products is recalling about 8,000 log splitters because defective hydraulic cylinders can cause rods to detach, posing a serious injury risk.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural defect in a heavy power tool that resulted in a reported hand amputation, meeting the rubric criteria for 'significant injury reports' and 'structural vehicle defect' analogs for consumer products.

Plain-English summary

Brave Products Inc. is recalling approximately 8,000 log splitters sold nationwide between January 2002 and April 2007. The recall was expanded in July 2007 after the company received 59 additional reports of leaking cylinders and rod retention failures. The affected units include various models from Brave Products and Iron & Oak brands, identifiable by specific serial numbers located on the hydraulic tank.

The hazard involves defective rod retention in the hydraulic cylinders, which can cause seals to leak and rods to detach. This defect allows the rod to rapidly and unexpectedly extend the splitting wedge, creating a risk of serious injury to the operator. One consumer reported a hand amputation that could have been caused by this cylinder defect.

The log splitters were sold at Ace, True Value, and Do It Best Hardware stores and independent power equipment dealers for between $900 and $2,000. Because the manufacturer is out of business, the recall remedy is no longer available. Consumers are instructed to destroy and discard the product. For more information, consumers can call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772.

The recalled product

Product
Log Splitters
Affected units
8,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Same manufacturer · Brave Products Inc., of Streator, Ill.

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