SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Electrical shock / short

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20230720-1EACF-2147346311. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Product: Shop Toro Company Power Max HD 826 OXE Model 38805. (Snowblower: Power Max HD 826 OXE Model 38805. Serial Number 316005999). Incident: I have a Toro Power Max HD 826 OXE Model Number 38805 snowblower. Ser# 316005999. I purchased this snowblower from Toro on 2/6/2016 for $1299 plus state tax. While normally using this snowblower, I started the engine using the 120Volt Starter. To do this, you plug and male end of an extension cord into the starter motor switch and plug the other end into a 120 Volt outlet. During normal operation I discovered that the ground pin on the snowblower had broken off and was left in the extension cord. I didn't notice this problem until I tried to use the extension cord for an unrelated purpose. It was then I found the ground still stuck in the extension cord. The problem is that the snowblower is no longer grounded. If I start the snowblower in a snow storm or while the ground is wet I could receive an electrical shock. Fortunately, I noticed this while I was starting the equipment while I was in my garage on dry ground. I contacted Toro and they simply said to bring the snowblower to an authorized dealer to have the starter motor replaced (approx part cost $340, labor extra) They said the unit was no longer in warranty and wouldn't replace the part. They also said there was no replacement part for the switch...the entire starter had to be replaced. The pin that broke was not attached to the starter switch very well (I have photos). I spoke to my dealer and they said this was a fairly common problem with the Toro snowblower starter. The starter was made in China.