The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·12025·Announced 2011-10-27

Harper Trucks Recalls Hand Trucks Due to Tire Explosion Injury Hazard

Harper Trucks is recalling approximately 292,000 hand trucks because overinflated tires can explode, causing the wheel hub to separate and injure bystanders.

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 significant injury reports, including loss of sight in one eye and broken bones, which meets the rubric criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

Harper Trucks Inc. is recalling approximately 292,000 hand trucks sold at The Home Depot and Sam's Club. The recall involves specific models with 1-piece composite tires or 3-piece, four-bolt, metal/chrome plated tires. Hand trucks with two-piece, grey metal wheels are not included in this recall.

The hazard exists because when the tires are overinflated, they can explode, causing the wheel hub to separate or break. This action ejects pieces of the hub, posing an injury hazard to bystanders. Harper Trucks has received 19 reports of overinflated tires exploding that resulted in 19 injuries, including broken bones, loss of sight in one eye, contusions, and lacerations.

Consumers should stop using the product immediately and contact Harper Trucks for a free repair kit. The kit includes either lock washers to secure the four bolts on 3-piece, metal/chrome plated wheels or new design replacement tires for 1-piece composite tires. For additional information, consumers can contact Harper Trucks toll-free at (800) 835-4099 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.harpertrucks.com.

The recalled product

Product
Hand Trucks
Manufacturer
Harper Trucks Inc., of Wichita, Kan.
Category
Consumer Product — Hand Trucks
Hazard
Affected units
292,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Other consumer product recalls