Six go-cart manufacturers are recalling for repair over 122,000 go-karts with exposed rear axles. Riders can be seriously injured or killed if their long hair or clothing becomes entangled in the rotating rear axle.
Since July 1996, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and two manufacturers have recalled for repair about 305,000 go-karts that present this entanglement hazard.The one- and two-seat go-karts are powered by gasoline engines. All go-karts with an exposed rear axle are involved in this repair program. To determine whether the rear axle is exposed, consumers should stand behind the go-kart, with the engine off, and push the go-kart by hand. If you can see the axle connecting the two rear wheels rotating, the go-kart is subject to the repair program.
Outdoor power equipment, specialty, lawn and garden, hardware, furniture, motorcycle and department stores, as well as Harbor Freight mail-order catalog, sold these go-karts nationwide from August 1976 through March 1997 for about $500 to $2,500.
Stop using the go-karts and contact the appropriate manufacturer to receive a free axle guard kit with installation instructions.
These manufacturers are participating in the repair program. Following the manufacturer's name and phone number is the brand label of the go-kart and the model number.
Avenger Inc., call collect at (318) 322-2007; Yellow Jacket; SST.
Bob's Kart Shop, call collect at (815) 496-2820; Grasshopper, T.C. Go-Fur, Ground Hawg; no model number.
Kartco Inc., (800) 621-2789; Kartco and Roadboss; 445.
Ken-Bar Mfg., (800) 241-3557; Streaker, Sand Dog, Salute to America, Scorpion and Mud Hog; DD7, DD8, D680, D710, D720, D780, D790, D810, D840, S465, SC7, STA8, STA9, SD11. Serial numbers: 011 to 100000.
Minat Inc., (800) 350-8739; U.S. Eagle Series; Eagle I and Eagle II.
T&D Metal Products, (888) 465-2780; Klipper Karts, ProKart, Pathwinder, Kool Kart, Campout and Bird Mfg.; Serial nos. EM001 to EM029 and 0030 to 39126.