April
16, 2002
Ames True Temper Inc., of Camp Hill, Pa., is voluntarily
recalling about 647,000 wheelbarrows. The plastic wheel assemblies on these
wheelbarrows, manufactured by a predecessor company, can break when being
inflated with high-pressure air hoses. This can result in plastic pieces
exploding from the rims of the wheels, possibly hitting nearby consumers and
causing lacerations and other injuries.
Ames True Temper has received eight reports of plastic rims fracturing, seven
of which involve lacerations to consumers' hands, face, chest or arms. Some of
the lacerations were severe, and required numerous stitches. One report
involved nasal and other facial bone fractures, three reports involved finger
or knuckle fractures, and one report included torn wrist ligaments caused by
the force of the pieces striking a consumer.
The wheel assemblies on these wheelbarrows have a black plastic rim and have an
approximately 14-inch diameter wheel. They have red, green or orange tubs or
trays made of steel or plastic. The recalled Ames wheelbarrows were sold under
the brand name "Mustang" or "Douglas." The brand name was
printed on the label attached to the tray at the time of purchase. Wheelbarrows
with metal wheel assemblies are not part of this recall. Also, no "True
Temper" wheelbarrow is part of this recall. Hardware stores and home
centers nationwide sold the recalled wheelbarrows from January 1993 through
December 2000 for between $20 and $30.
Consumers should not inflate the tires on these wheelbarrows. Consumers
should contact Ames True Temper to receive a free replacement steel wheel
assembly. For more information, call Ames True Temper toll-free at (866) 239-
2281 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
The recalled wheelbarrow wheels were manufactured and sold by O. Ames Company,
a predecessor company of Ames True Temper.