About 147,900 units are affected
John Deere is asking owners of certain utility tractors to stop using them immediately as part of a product recall.
The manufacturer issued the recall on Sept. 26, affecting John Deere 1023E, 1025R and 2025R compact utility tractors.
About 147,900 tractors in the U.S., and around 16,800 in Canada, are included.
John Deere 2025R.
A component of the tractor could fail, losing its ability to brake.
“The front bell crank in the brake linkage can fail causing the tractor to lose braking, resulting in a crash hazard,” the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says.
The CPSC has received four reports of the brake linkage failing. A hospitalization, two impact injuries and minor property damage to the tractors has also been reported.
Owners of the affected tractor models can visit John Deere’s website to enter the unit’s serial number or product ID to determine if their tractor is part of the recall.
The serial number is found on the frame, on the front right side of the tractor, near the engine.
If the tractor is included in the recall, “consumers should immediately stop using the recalled tractors and contact an authorized John Deere dealer to schedule an appointment to bring the tractor into the dealer for a free repair,” the CPSC says.
“If the consumer is not able to transport the tractor to a dealer’s location, then the dealer will make arrangements to repair the unit at the consumer’s residence. John Deere is contacting all known purchasers directly.”