The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·20193·Announced 2020-09-30

STIHL Recalls Mini-Cultivator Attachments Due to Laceration Hazard

STIHL is recalling about 185,000 mini-cultivator attachments because the gearbox may be installed upside down, causing tines to rotate toward the operator and posing a laceration 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 power tool attachment that resulted in reported lacerations to consumers, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating due to significant injury reports.

Plain-English summary

STIHL Incorporated is recalling approximately 185,000 BF-KM Mini-Cultivator attachments sold nationwide from January 2005 through August 2020. These attachments are used with STIHL KombiMotor KM powerheads to break up loose soil. The recall is due to a manufacturing error where the gearbox may have been installed upside down by STIHL dealers. This incorrect assembly causes the tines to rotate backwards toward the operator, creating a laceration hazard.

STIHL has received 12 reports of incidents related to this defect, including six reports of lacerations to consumers. The affected attachments feature four black discs with tines mounted to a gearbox and attached to a metal drive tube with a black deflector. Consumers can identify the recalled units by checking if the axle is above the drive tube when the locating lug for coupling to the powerhead is facing up.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mini-cultivator attachment. They should take the product to an authorized STIHL servicing dealer for a free inspection and proper assembly. For more information, consumers can contact STIHL Inc. at 800-233-4729 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit www.stihlusa.com.

The recalled product

Product
STIHL BF-KM Mini-Cultivator attachments
Manufacturer
STIHL Incorporated, of Virginia Beach, VA
Category
Consumer Product — Power Tools / Garden Equipment
Hazard
Affected units
185,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same manufacturer · STIHL Incorporated, of Virginia Beach, VA

See all →

Same hazard · laceration

See all →