According to an article by Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, the model of riding mower affected by the recall is the Toro Z Master ZRT Mower. The mowers are commercial-size, with 52-inch and 72-inch cutting decks and a zero turning radius. Some of the mowers were equipped with an optional deluxe seat that had a switch built into it. However, the switch may activate the motor when the user gets off the seat, raising the risk of getting caught in the spinning blades.
The Z Master mowers were sold from September 2005 through January 2011. Around 3,700 mowers were sold in the U.S., along with 109 in Canada, the CPSC announcement said. The model numbers of the affected mowers are 74264 through 74267, 74274, 74253 and 74254. The deluxe seat is light gray with an adjustment knob in the front. Consumers are instructed to contact Toro to have the company send them instructions for fixing the defect. They can perform the modification themselves or bring the mower to a Toro dealer to have the work done free of charge.
According to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, more than 37,000 Americans are injured by lawn mowers each year.
Source: Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, “Toro recalls 3,800 riding mowers,” Ed Stych, March 30, 2011
