Hand Trucks Recalled by Harper Trucks Due to Injury Hazard

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --– The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO).

Name of Product: Hand Trucks

Units:  About 292,000

Manufacturer:  Harper Trucks Inc., of Wichita, Kan.

Hazard: When the tires are overinflated, they can explode causing the wheel hub to separate or break, ejecting pieces of the hub. This poses an injury hazard to bystanders.

Incidents/Injuries: Harper Trucks has received 19 reports of overinflated tires exploding that resulted in 19 injuries, including broken bones, loss of sight in one eye, contusions and lacerations.

Description: This recall involves Harper Trucks hand trucks with model numbers and type of wheels listed below. "Harper Truck" and the model number can be found on an adhesive sticker on the hand truck frame's cross member. Hand trucks with two-piece, grey metal wheels are not included in this recall.

Sold at: The Home Depot from September 2008 through March 2009 and Sam's Club from January 1993 through January 2002 for between $28 and $42.  

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the product immediately and contact Harper Trucks for a free repair kit that includes either lock washers to secure the four bolts on the 3-piece, metal/chrome plated wheels or new design replacement tires for the 1-piece composite tires.  

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Harper Trucks toll-free at

(800) 835-4099 between 8:30a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, e-mail [email protected] or visit the company's website at www.harpertrucks.com.

Photos of this product are available at www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml12/12025.html.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov.

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 835-4099
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission