SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20180410-888E5-2147388682. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Matched catalog product: Toro Toro Rake and Vac model 51585. Source model text: 51617 & 51591. Incident: I have had two Toro brand electric leaf blowers overheat at the extension cord connection to the point where the broad prong of the plug gets so hot it melts into the extension cord. In both cases I was using the proper recommended gauge of extension cord (14 gauge, 100'), was using the blowers for less than 5 minutes of continuous use and 10 minutes in total, and was using their cord lock system to keep the extension cord secure. I believe there is a defect in Toro leaf blowers that creates an unsafe electrical arc or something even when the blower is properly plugged in. This could cause a fire. In my opinion the blowers with this malfunction should be recalled.