ARDISAM INC power tillers or cultivators

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Apr 25, 2014 · , sent to the company May 23, 2014 · , published by CPSC Jun 9, 2014

   The product, in the report: Earthquake 6015V S/N 017940013411207130160

   Name = [REDACTED] III Organization/Affiliation = Daytime Phone = [REDACTED] E-mail address = [REDACTED] Message = Dear Sirs Complaint is on a garden tiller, Company’s name: Ardisam, Inc. the importer of the tiller and Menards a home improvement store which was the place of purchase. Model of tiller is: Earthquake 6015V Serial number of the one I purchased is: 017940013411207130160 but thousands of units may be affected. Date purchased 04/13/2014. Gas line is not connected to carburetor, in the assembly instructions there is absolutely no reference to connect fuel line one assumes it already is. I poured gas in after assembly didn’t notice until it was filled that it was pouring out on the ground striking my shoes, went to the house to grab a needle nose pliers, lost at least a half a tank of gas at this point, there were two places where the fuel line could probably go, made the wrong first choice as fuel is spitting in my face finally got the correct connection. Operated tiller for about 90 minutes the grease in the transmission got so hot it blew the transmission dip stick out along with a bunch of hot grease, there is a transmission pressure relief value but it is in a poor location as it can get easily clog with dirt, I did not get burned but somebody could of. One of the problems with the dip stick is that it is not a tight fit the least amount of pressure will send it out, if the other problem, the pressure relief valve is clogged. I called Ardisam Inc. and told them about the two problems so far and explained to them that the connecting gas line is probably affecting more than one unit they may want to do random checks. As far as the other problem the loosely fitted transmission dipstick that is on every model, FACT, I continued to state that dirt may have mixed with the grease and found its way to the transmission. She told me to bring it to a dealer to get the transmission replaced, item is to heavy for me to load and car is not big enough to haul it to and from. Figured if I am going to break it down I will return it to the store. I called Menards and spoke to [REDACTED] explained to him about the disconnected gas line and how he might want to check his display model and also randomly pick out a box to see if there is a major problem on all the Earthquake 6015V tillers and perhaps other models. I also stated the problem with loading item to go to a service center and I rather just do a return if I have to break it all down to fit in my car. His reply we don’t take defective returns you will have to go to the manufacturer of the item, he meant importer in this case. I was a little [REDACTED] after all I just bought and I just used it one time. so I asked him if he can replace the dipstick and his reply was sure come on down and we will replace that. I figured after all why return item if I don’t have to. I go to the Menards in Lewis Center Ohio went to the garden department to tell cashier I needed a part, dipstick, and [REDACTED] said it was ok they check with him. I looked at there display model and sure enough the gas line was also disconnected now this tells me this is now a wider problem in regards to a person safety. [REDACTED] avoided coming down to speak with me, he may have been busy I will give him that. Went to front of store ask to speak to him again and finally did and he said he seen the problem and called Ardisam Inc. and there going to send a Rep out to inspect. This needs more then a Company Rep to inspect the tiller it needs someone from consumer affairs as the problem on the tiller could potentially harm or even kill someone. I took dipstick home cleaned it up put a little grease in there because I lost some of it, ran it for about an hour then a belt tension pulley comes flying off. I want my money back, I want other consumers to be protected of the potential harm that could arrive by using this tiller. I did get a call from [REDACTED] at Ardisam Inc and was told the it is a company policy not to issue a refund but will replace the tiller, what good would that do. When I told him about the disconnected gas line his reply was that probably got lose in shipping, how can it since once its on it is secured by a clamp. I hope you can help and perhaps send Gov Rep to do an inspection, thanks. Everyone I spoke to so far was polite but that does not help in resolving my problem or the problem of potential danger others may be facing. Kind Regards [REDACTED] If contacting by phone and there’s no answer please leave a message along with a call back number, thanks.

   Model

   Earthquake 6015V

   Serial number

   017940013411207130160

   Bought from

   MENARDS, WI

   Bought

   Apr 13, 2014

   Where

   Johnstown, Ohio: Unspecified

   Who was involved

   Unspecified

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   made or sold by ARDISAM INC

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources