Brave Products Inc., of Streator, Ill., has renewed a recall of log splitters because one consumer reported a hand amputation that could have been caused by a defect in the machine's cylinder, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission said.

The company recalled 8,000 units in July 2007 and 4,000 in February 2005. The commission said it issued the April 1 recall because new incidents prompted an "urgent warning of [an] amputation hazard."

There have been 26 additional reports of failure, including units previously thought to be unaffected by the earlier recalls.

The log splitter's hydraulic cylinders might have defective rod retention, causing the seals to leak and the rods to detach, unexpectedly extending the splitting wedge and harming the operator.

The log splitters are made of steel and painted orange and black, or blue and black. They have trailer hitches and rubber tires. Each has a decal on the side that reads "Brave Products, Inc." or "Iron & Oak" and specifies the tonnage (either 15, 22, 26, or 34 tons).

Five Brave brand products and eight Iron & Oak machines are covered in the recall.

Ace, True Value, and Do It Best hardware stores and independent power-equipment dealers sold the machines from January 2002 through April 2007 for between $900 US and $2,000 US.

Consumers, including those who contacted the firm after the previously announced recalls, should stop using the splitters and contact the company for a free replacement cylinder.

For more information, call Brave Products at (800) 350-8739 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

Recall notice

Company website