Craftsman power tillers or cultivators

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made May 20, 2013 · , sent to the company May 31, 2013 · , published by CPSC Jun 14, 2013

   The product, in the report: Garden tiller/culavator

   I purchased a used Craftsman Cultivator garden tiller. When I asked to have the unit started, it ran ok, but was leaking gasoline from under the fuel tank. I purchased it anyway, thinking that it was probably a fuel line issue that could be replaced easily.

   When I removed the air cleaner, I found that the carburetor had a small “L” shaped plastic connector that the gas line connected to from the fuel tank. The plastic connector was cracked and leaking gas.

   I talked to eight Sears’s representatives, a [REDACTED] representative, which by the way was an error by the Sears contact directing me incorrectly, the Company that bought Tecumseh, who manufactured the 2cycle engine (Certified Parts Corp), a distributor in Arkansas (Carswell) that sells Tecumseh engine parts to the open market and a wholesale supplier of Tecumseh parts in Wisconsin.

   In talking to all of these representatives, I finally discovered that sometime between 2008 and 2013, either Sears or Tecumseh or both, discovered the engineering flaw in the plastic fuel line connection and reengineered the carburetor with a brass tube, eliminating the plastic connector, to connect the fuel line from the gas tank.

   Sears stated that there had not been a recall and since I was the second owner, they would do nothing to provide a replace carburetor with the new brass tube connection, even though it is a dangerous safety issue. I could purchase a replacement carburetor for $61.00 plus shipping if I wanted to correct the problem.

   The model number of the Craftsman Cultivator is Model #536.292522 with a manufacturing date of 2008. The original carburetor is listed in the owner manual as Part #640231. The plastic connector is not available as a single purchase. You have to purchase the entire carburetor which is now Part #640231A. Please note that the reengineered carburetor has the same part number except the number now contains an “A” which indicates a modification to the original unit.

   By not letting previous owners know about the risk of a fire from leaking gasoline or possibly exploding of the gas tank, it puts anyone who purchased one of these units from Sears a risk of serious burns or death.

   Model

   536292522

   Serial number

   74141008202H379

   Bought from

   American Pawn

   Bought

   May 15, 2013

   Where

   Rowlett, Texas: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unknown

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand Craftsman, made or sold by Sears Holdings Management Corporation

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

2. No one hurt

   Made Jul 29, 2011 · , sent to the company Nov 23, 2011 · , published by CPSC Dec 8, 2011

   The product, in the report: Craftsman gas powered tiller

   Consumer stated that his gas powered tiller is a potential fire hazard as there appears to be a leak where the fuel tank is and fears that the gas leaking into a hot engine may flare up, resulting in a fire hazard. The consumer stated that he has not had any injuries sustained by the product but stated that he did inhale some of the fumes. Luckily, he has not suffered any adverse effects. The consumer stated that the product was on for an unknown amount of time before he noticed the leak.

   The consumer called the retailer today for the first time about his difficulties with the product and was informed that there have been no reports or recalls on his product. The retailer offered no additional assistance and referred him to the CPSC. The consumer has yet to call the firm. The consumer stated that the product appears to show no structural damage or charring.

   The consumer stated that the product did not damage anything else in his home. The consumer opted to not call the fire department at the time of the incident. The consumer stated that he had to buy a new fuel cap last summer after it split. Last summer at the time he did notice a slow leak but just opted to replace it. Again, he cannot recall exactly when it started leaking. The consumer would describe the leak as a slow leak.

   Model

   917.292481

   Serial number

   041002T030762

   Bought from

   Sears, Ohio

   Bought

   May 4, 2002

   Where

   London, Ohio: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Craftsman, made or sold by Sears Holdings Management Corporation

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources