2009–2011 Ditch Witch T12SE, 2009–2011 Ditch Witch T18S, 2009–2011 Ditch Witch T9S and 1 other model Recall: Equipment

The defect

THE CHARLES MACHINE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2011 DITCH WITCH CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT TRAILER EQUIPPED WITH 500 GALLON VACUUM EXCAVATORS. THE TANK MOUNTING CAN BREAK WHICH CAN ALLOW THE TANK TO FALL FROM THE TRAILER DURING DUMPING OR TRANSPORTING.

The risk

A FALLING TANK FROM THE TRAILER COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR COULD CRUSH BYSTANDERS OR WORKERS INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

The fix — what to do

KITS WERE CREATED TO REDISTRIBUTE THE WEIGHT OF THE SPOILS TANK MORE UNIFORMLY ACROSS THE TRAILER. DEALERS WILL ORDER THE APPROPRIATE KITS TO REMEDY THE TRAILERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 2, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CHARLES MACHINE WORKS, INC., TELEPHONE 1-800-654-6481. OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, CALL 1-580-336-4426 EXT. 8833.

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .