SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20170608-08B4D-2147399849. Severity: Injury, Seen by Medical Professional. Product: Cub Cadet 2009 RTZ zero turn mower. yellow and black (2009 Cub Cadet RTZ zero turn mower. yellow and black). Incident: I used my 2009 Cub Cadet RTZ mower that day to mow under 2 acres of lawn, as I do each and every week as needed since the day I bought it. Please know that this mower was in excellent condition and was regularly maintained to assure proper running order and to extend the life of the mower. It has had regular oil changes, the blades are replaced every year, the pulleys are checked as well and overall maintenance is provided with extra care in spring and fall. I've never had a problem with the mower until May 17th? possibly 18th of this year 2017. I mowed almost an acre and then parked the mower, cleared it from grass both on and under the mowing deck as well as clearing any grass and debri from the engine area. I had a glass of water, took a little break, even had time for an ice cream cone...then I went back to work mowing the rest of the grass. I finished with no problems at all, parked it in the shade and again cleared grass from all the areas described above as I do every time I use it. I then proceed to raise the mower deck and drive it to the garage where I backed it in as I always do. I shut it down, took off my ear protectors, put them in the side compartment, grabbed my flashlight that I use to see under the deck when I clean it and got off the mower. I grabbed my drink and stood there for a moment drinking water and wiped some sweat away. All in all I was probably in the garage for about 2 2 1/2 minutes. I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I finished my drink and started to walk home which is next door, about 300 feet or so. I went into my house, immediat