WAUKESHA, Wis. (WXIN) — More than 300,000 portable generators are being recalled over amputation and crushing risks.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the recall involves 6500-watt and 8000-watt Generac, HomeLink and DR brands of portable generators. They were sold at major home improvement and hardware stores nationwide and online.

Generac Power Systems owns the DR and Homelink brands.

The CPSC says the recalled generators have gasoline-powered engines that are used to generate electricity for use as backup power. The portable generators have two wheels and one “U-shaped, two-grip, flip-up pin-lock handle” to help move the generator.


The generators were initially recalled in July 2021 after Generac received eight reports of injuries. Since then, the company has received a new total of 37 reported injuries, including 24 reports of finger amputations and five reports of finger crushing.

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The CPSC said the issue with the products is that an unlocked handle can pinch the fingers against the generator frame when the generator is moved.

The following generators are subject to recall:

Unit Type Model Number First Serial Number Last Serial Number
XT8000E G0064330
G0064331 3000037849 3005569372
G0064340
G0064342
XT8000EFI G0071620
G0071621 3003336356 3006597843
G0071621R
GP6500 G0076720
G0076800
G0076800R
G0076812
G0076830
G0076830R
G0076902
G0076902R
G0076903
GP6500E G0076820
G0076820R
G0076822
GP8000E G0076731
G0076751
G0076751R
G0076761
G0076761R
G0076861
G0076861R
PRO 6500M GP16505DMN
GP16505DMNR
PRO 6500E GP16505DEN
HomeLink 6500E G0068650
G0068651
G0079960
The unit type can be found on the front of the product, while the model and serial numbers are printed on a product label.

Anyone with the recalled portable generators should stop using them unless the locking pin has been inserted to secure the handle in place before and after moving the generator. They should then contact Generac for a free repair kit consisting of a set of spacers to move the handle away from the frame to eliminate the pinch point.

Anyone with questions can contact Generac toll-free at 844-242-3493 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the recall page.


LINK: https://wgntv.com/news/300k-po...mputations-reported/

dunno. power things are dangerous.

I grew up on a farm with lots of dangerous stuff. Belt driven pumps, belt driven generators, grain augers, Harris Tractors with all kinds of exposed mechanical stuff, all kinds of saws.

You learn quickly to "watch your fingers" as my uncle would always tell me.

that said, I've never seen these generators. So I'm doing some arm-chairing here

I have met lots of farmers over the years with missing digits. Clearing the corn picker while it was running was a big one.

Yes power things can be dangerous but designs like that are fucking stupid, lazy, and completely unacceptable. I hope they get sued out of existence.

This is why nobody likes engineers. A few bad apples and all that.

I've got one and pinched my fingers several times, moving it about without the pin in place.

I thought it was just me being a dumb-ass, but lo, its the fucking stupid, lazy, and completely unacceptable engineers' fault.

Guess I'll order the spacer kit before I lose an appendage.

I don’t think it’s motorized moving parts. The handle pivots out to move it, and if you have fingers in the wrong place you get some leverage there to crush them.

So if I read this correctly, if you move that U shaped handle to the up position and don't put the cotter pin in place it can pinch or amputate your finger? Well, I for one, would use the cotter pin.

Read the instruction manual.

Experts do not need no Instruction manual!
Seriously, I always read the manual since my mechanical skills are limited.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
I have met lots of farmers over the years with missing digits. Clearing the corn picker while it was running was a big one.

Yeah, you have a point there. My uncle almost lost his thumb in the 1970's. I forgot how it happened, but the wound and stiches were wicked looking.

In essence, don’t use your finger as a cotter key!

quote:

Originally posted by DoctorSolo:
Yes power things can be dangerous but designs like that are fucking stupid, lazy, and completely unacceptable. I hope they get sued out of existence.

This is why nobody likes engineers. A few bad apples and all that.

Should I sue the hammer manufacture?

Afterall, it has hit my fingers a few times over the years!