Shindaiwa backpack blowers recalled due to fire hazard

As the wave of recalls continue to flow in, a pair of backpack blowers from Shindaiwa look to be claiming next. Reportedly, the "muffler's outer shell can melt, allowing exhaust gas to exit from the bottom or back side of the muffler." Consequently, the "exhaust gas may cause damage to the fuel tank creating a possible fire hazard for the user." To date, the outfit is only aware of a single incident where "a small muffler fire was involved," but no humans were maimed and no property was marred. Still, if you're the owner of an EB630 or EB630RT, we'd recommend getting set up with a free muffler replacement before firing that bad boy back up again.

[Wwhat @ Aug 24th 2007 1:48PM]

You'd think that the manufacturer would make sure that almost glaringly obvious risk was tested for before release eh.

[paragraph @ Aug 24th 2007 1:52PM]

well, it could have been worse, atleast there wasn't any lead paint on it, i know i lick my garden equipment regularly. :\

anywho, i really think thats something that good QC and Testing should have found.

[garden @ Aug 24th 2007 1:53PM]

leaf blowers are pretty useless in general. you spend more time blowing the crap to where you want it than if you'd just sweep or rake it up in the first place.

[Brian @ Aug 24th 2007 1:55PM]

Leaf blower? My bad. I thought you said flame thrower.

[Stace @ Aug 24th 2007 1:59PM]

Engadget is doing stories on leaf blowers?

[John B @ Aug 24th 2007 4:24PM]

Hey, why not? Yesterday we had that incredibly important 40-year old fan fire story. Why not a story about faulty leaf blowers? Tomorrow they'll post a story about the important news that an electric lamp from 1910 that required specialized bulbs can't work now because no one makes those specialized bulbs any more. Truly, we need to see such information on Engadget.

[DorianGray @ Aug 27th 2007 12:56PM]

STANTZ
I just realized something. We've never had a completely successful test with any of the equipment.

SPENGLER
I blame myself.

VENKMAN
So do I.

STANTZ
No sense worrying about it now.

VENKMAN (doubtful)
Why worry? Each of us is wearing an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on our back. No problem.

STANTZ
Light me up.

*everyone in the elevator moves away*

[sselemit @ Aug 24th 2007 2:07PM]

When did we move to "Gasoline" tech? I thought we are all about "Electricity" tech.

[Jugomugo @ Aug 24th 2007 3:39PM]

I'm not one to say much... but why the hell is this even being reported on Engadget?

And who the heck is Shindaiwa?

[Wwhat @ Aug 24th 2007 4:20PM]

isn't a leafblower a gadget?

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Aug 24th 2007 8:42PM]

"About Us
Company Background

Shindaiwa is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shin-Daiwa Kogyo, Ltd., of Hiroshima, Japan, and was incorporated in Oregon in 1981. Shindaiwa is a leading manufacturer of professional-quality outdoor power equipment, including trimmers and edgers, brushcutters, chain saws, hedge trimmers, blowers, sprayers, cut-off saws, PowerBrooms, and models featuring the revolutionary C4 Technology®. Shindaiwa markets its products around the world from the offices located at:

11975 SW Herman Road
Tualatin, OR 97062

Since 1975, Shindaiwa has concentrated on 2-cycle engine technology. Today the best 2-cycle and micro 4-cycle engineers in the world work for Shindaiwa to design the best power equipment available for you.

http://www.shindaiwa.com/nam/en/aboutus/index.php "

[sharkhs @ Aug 24th 2007 4:50PM]

It's like when the Rocketeer pulls the bubblegum off of the leak in his jetpack!

It's how we defeated the Nazis.....remember?

[nih @ Aug 24th 2007 5:54PM]

To be remarketed as "Flamethrowers".

[Will @ Aug 24th 2007 6:33PM]

When did Microsofr start making leafblowers?

[Brandon @ Aug 24th 2007 8:54PM]

I sell Shindaiwa Blowers, but I don't look for information about them on a tec blog, Nice going.

[Scooter @ Aug 25th 2007 10:59AM]

ban all leaf blowers, backpack or otherwise. Damn things are too noisy, and their operators rapdily getting fat. Dish out the brooms and rakes and see coronary rates drop.

[Gerard Rejskind @ Aug 25th 2007 12:41PM]

So...users of these mighty leaf blowers risk catching fire and being burned to ashes? Best news I've heard all day!

[drivin98 @ Aug 26th 2007 10:20PM]

Just remove the gas engine from these things. They should be electric.