The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·84021·Announced 1984-04-04

Ferrari Rotary Tillers Recalled Due to Severe Laceration Hazard

Ferrari-Maschio is recalling model 71 and 72 rotary tillers because a missing center hoe can cause the machine to jump forward, exposing rotating tines to the operator.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The source text reports one leg amputation and severe leg lacerations, which meets the rubric criterion for 'significant injury reports' under the Severe (4) classification.

Plain-English summary

Ferrari-Maschio Inc. is conducting a voluntary corrective action program for its model 71 and 72 Ferrari rear tine rotary tillers in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Approximately 450 units were sold to rental companies or professionals since 1973, with most sales in California and a few in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Nevada, Texas, New Mexico, and Oregon.

The recall is issued because the forward operation of these tillers with a missing center hoe can cause the machine to jump forward or buck. This exposes the rotating tines to the operator standing behind the machine, creating a severe laceration hazard. Ferrari is aware of six consumer accidents involving the forward operation of these tillers, which resulted in severe leg lacerations and one leg amputation. The CPSC determined that without a functional center hoe, the tillers cannot be controlled, and attempting to restrain a bucking tiller can result in contact with the rotating tines.

Ferrari is implementing a two-part corrective action program. The company will attach a conspicuous label to each tiller warning owners and operators to check for the presence of a center hoe. Additionally, Ferrari is replacing the center hoe on the model 71 tiller with a modified hoe to ensure safe operation. Owners of these tillers who have not been contacted by Ferrari should call the company at 608-273-3484 or write to Ferrari-Maschio Inc. at 2995 Kapec Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, to obtain the appropriate warning label and center hoe modification.

The recalled product

Product
Ferrari rear tine rotary tillers
Manufacturer
Ferrari-Maschio
Category
Consumer Product — Power Tools
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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Same hazard · laceration

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