When You Least Need It, A Chain Saw Recall by Broderick Perkins
Talk about bad timing. That chain saw you are using may have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the two companies that make them. Just when you probably need it most. Just when other models are likely in short supply. Industrial strength chain saws have become front line standard issue in clean up efforts along the Gulf Shore where Hurricane Katrina destroyed billions of dollars worth of property, trapped residents and their pets, downed trees and laid waste to the regional lumber industry. Four chain saw models -- two different models each from two different companies -- may have defective flywheel assemblies that can come apart during use and cause serious personal injury, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The commission and the two companies are jointly recalling nearly 5,000 of them for repair. A chain saw's flywheel is a weighted wheel or disk that, in motion, moderates engine speed which helps keep even the speed of the cutting chain. Because you don't want to become a second tier victim of a hurricane that has already claimed too many lives and produced too many casualties, or because you don't want put yourself or anyone in harm's way, whether you are in the storm area or not, stop using these chain saws and contact the manufacturers for recall information. Registered purchasers have already been informed -- which makes a sound argument for completing registration forms, especially for potentially dangerous equipment. If you don't want the junk mail and phone calls that often follow such registrations, include a letter stating you don't want to be put on any mailing lists except for product information specific to your product. Typically, including your phone number or email address is not necessary. To make sure your request has been received, send the registration by return receipt and chances are you'll only get information about your product. For those who haven't registered their chain saw, here are the recall details, effective Sept. 12, 2005. The last five digits of the serial numbers for model DCS6401 are 41915 through 45612 and 81722 through 82057; for model DCS7901, the last five digits are 31182 through 31491. The serial number can be found on the right hand side of the silver nameplate which is located on the back of the fuel tank. No other Makita chain saws are involved in the recall. If any model DCS6401 or model DCS7901 chain saw has the letter "N" preceding the serial number on the nameplate and a blue dot on the shipping carton it has been repaired and is not involved in the recall. Makita has received three reports of the flywheel coming apart. Fortunately there have been no reports of injury. The product has been sold at outdoor power equipment distributors and industrial contractor supply houses nationwide from October 2004 through August 2005 for between $520 and $730. Call Makita's recall hotline, (866) 714-3860, Ext.232, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, to arrange for a free repair. The chain saw's housing is a warm red printed with "DOLMAR." The serial number can be found on the right hand side of the silver nameplate on the back of the fuel tank. No other DOLMAR chain saws are involved in the recall. Any PS6400 or PS7900 chain saws with the letter "N" preceding the serial number on the nameplate and packed with a blue on the shipping carton have been repaired and are not involved in the recall. DOLMAR has received three reports of the flywheel coming apart. There have been no reports of injury. The product has been sold by outdoor power equipment distributors and industrial suppliers from October 2004 through August 2005 for between $570 and $750. Call DOLMAR's recall hotline at (888) 673-7278 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, to arrange for a free repair. For more information about safe chain saw operations: | 
