Winter storm recall: Snowthrower sold at Home Depot, Ace Hardware recalled for amputation hazard

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: USA Today

Before you go out to plow the snow, check the model of your snowthrower.

The Toro Company, based in Bloomington, Minnesota, is recalling about 6,700 of its snowthrowers because they pose an amputation hazard.

The recall is for the 2021 model of Toro Power Max 826 OHAE Snowthrowers with Model Number 37802, according to a recall notice posted on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website this week.

The announcement comes as a massive winter storm brought snow and ice across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic with warnings extended as far south as weather-weary Texas.



Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/winter-storm-recall-snowthrower-sold-at-home-depot-ace-hardware-recalled-for-amputation-hazard/ar-BB1dO96L?li=BBnb7Kz

[lunasun]

1. kick

[SWBTATTReg]

2. Ironically enough, here in STLMO, my SO told me (works at Home Depot) that the Home Depot

that they work at, sold the last two snow blowers the other day (STLMO has been hit w/ a big snow) that were from inventory since Winter, 2019-2020.

And they just sold the two units a few days ago, I'll have to check w/ them to see what model brand they were...

[liberal N proud]

3. Damn, people are stupid

If you are going to remove snow without breaking your back, you need a blower.

I used one for years, I still have all my fingers and toes.

My dad had one for years and never lost a limb.

[SharonClark]

4. Not stupid in this case, a repair was needed.

[Yeehah]

24. It's possible to remove snow without a machine and not hurt yourself

In fact, it can be a beneficial workout.

[JohnnyRingo]

5. Sometimes that chute gets iced up

...and you have to reach down it to clear the clog. Generally speaking, you can't reach the chute and the rotor activation lever at the same time.

If it doesn't disengage the blades when the lever is released and you reached into that chute....
Personally, I usually look to make sure, but you can tell if the blades are spinning if you pay attention.

[NutmegYankee]

8. My Ariens has a plastic shovel mounted on top for that task.

I’d never stick my hand in there unless the engine was off.

[JohnnyRingo]

10. Little choice with my MTD

I could keep shutting it off every time wet snow ices up, but restarting it would get old fast.

As long as the blades aren't moving, it's safe, and it's easier to check rather than shutting it off and waiting for the engine to wind down, then pulling the rope again. Too cold for that shit.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

12. Yep!

Can there still be compression with the engine off?

This guy got himself with the engine on:

Pictures of pinned/wired fingers at link.

https://www.finehomebuilding.com/forum/snow-blower-vs-fingers

Two weeks ago this is what happens when a pineapple like myself cleans out the clogged chute of a snow blower without turning it off. I’ve done it a million time before and never once were the blades spinning. But apparently there was one more spin left I guess once I cleaned down to the bottom with my fingers.
I have no excuse but to say that I was shocked that the blade still had one turn left enough to break all three of my fingers and I had to have two pins put in each finger. If I would’ve known that the blades can still spin, I would not have ever done this. I will spray silicone or WD40 in the shoot next time, or use the chute cleaner my brother-in-law bought for me for Christmas after I did this as a joke.

I’ve been called just about every name in the book for how dumb I was, but these snow blower accidents apparently are very common. I just ran into a guy today tat therapy who did the same thing 9 years ago today, same hand, same fingers. Most people cut the fingers off from what I’ve been told. I guess I’m, lucky that I still have mine.

[NutmegYankee]

16. There can be a kickback.

When I change the blade on the lawnmower I pull the spark plug out (I check the gap anyhow).

[justbergum]

18. Thank you

Never would have thought of that.

[rickyhall]

6. Like all powered machines it's best to turn it off before try to fix it.

Just sayin...

[jmowreader]

7. I teach people to use the snow thrower at work

And I always start with Rule Number One of snow throwers:

Rule Number One: The operating position of this machine is right behind it. If you leave the operating position for any reason whatsoever, turn the engine off first.

[NutmegYankee]

9. Exactly. Nt

[JohnnyRingo]

11. I have an MTD snowblower

That's different from a snow thrower I'm told.

I could keep shutting it off every time wet snow ices up every five or ten minutes, but restarting it would get old fast.

As long as the blades aren't moving, it's safe, and it's easier to check rather than shutting it off and waiting for the engine to wind down, then pulling the rope again. Too cold for that shit and I use my left hand anyway. Welcome to NE Ohio.

[NutmegYankee]

17. Here in Conn. we call then all a snow blower.

And separate them by 1 stage or 2 stage. If you just say "Snowblower" the 2 stage machine is assumed.

[Scruffy1]

15. Good advice.

A lot of the injuries have happened when people try to remove a jam. Even with the engine off there is still tension on the blade. As soon as the object that jammed it is removed it becomes a meat slicer. Never ever put your fingers in there. I gave 2 of them away when I left Minnesota. I don't miss that part at all.

[3Hotdogs]

13. I have an EGO battery powered snow blower.

Ya can't get a spin out of the paddles while you are standing in front of it. But the instructions are to disengage the batteries before removing ice blockages.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

20. "Disengage the batteries"? Does that mean "turn the switch to 'off'"?

Or do they expect you to disconnect a battery cable?

I hope "off" is good enough.

[3Hotdogs]

21. The batteries "snap" in. Safest thing is to push the catch to separate batteries from contacts.

Time -- about 4 seconds,

The mechanism takes two hands in order to start. While I can't imagine how it would start with no one near the "dead man's switch" and the start button, still. Why take a chance?

[Historic NY]

14. I vigerously moved the chute side to side until the blockage clears...

mine is even bigger Cub Cadet. They come with a tool but your suppose to turn off the machine. I have a plastic and metal chute.

[RandySF]

19. Thank goodness we have no snow.

[Dr. T]

22. I lost half a finger and my right hand was reconfigured

in a snow blower incident on February 24, 2010 and 7:10 p.m. You don't forget something like that. And you ask yourself, "How stupid do you have to be to stick your hand in the discharge chute of a snow blower with an actively engaged auger?". I'm here to tell you, it happened in the blink of an eye. A momentary lapse of reasoning after the fourth clog in five minutes was all it took. Beware. I now have a mutually beneficial relationship with my new snow blower. It's not all bad. When I count on my fingers, I can count in fractions.

[Baclava]

23. They need more labels, "Warning, do not place hands in wood chipper"

[twodogsbarking]

25. Beware of loose clothing

it can kill.

[MineralMan]

26. If the auger is going around, don't stick your hand in there.

I shut the thing off before doing anything in front of the machine. Jebus!