JOHN DEERE GATOR - A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD

[DONOTDELETE]

Monday, April 02, 2001
<font color=blue>JOHN DEERE GATOR A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD - IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE</font color=blue>

Applicable to 4x2, 6x4, 6x4 Diesel, and Turf Gator Utility Vehicles with serial numbers that fall within any of the following ranges:

W004X2X062675 to 64011 or W006X4X055116 to 56331
VG06X4D026394 to 26698 or VG0TURF015488 to 15614
Dear Valued Consumer:
We have discovered a potential safety problem, which we want to correct immediately. A limited number of machines within the serial number ranges listed above may have been assembled with an incorrect vent fitting on the fuel tank. This incorrect fitting could cause liquid fuel to be spilled, thereby creating a potential fire hazard.
John Deere wants to inspect your machine and replace the vent fitting to make sure the correct fitting is installed. Please contact your John Deere dealer as soon as possible to make arrangements to have your machine inspected and the fitting replaced. This inspection and service will be performed at no cost to you. The dealer will make arrangements for transportation of the machine if necessary
Please follow the listed safety precautions prior to the fitting being inspected and replaced:
Do not start, use, or allow others to operate your Gator Utility Vehicle until it has been inspected and serviced.
If it is stored inside, please PUSH the unit outdoors or to a well ventilated and level area for storage
Once parked in the well-ventilated area, please loosen the fuel cap 1/4th turn from snug to equalize pressure.

We hope this recall will not cause you any undue inconvenience. Our efforts are intended to ensure the safe operation of your John Deere Gator Utility Vehicle and continued satisfaction with John Deere products.
This recall is being done in cooperation with and will be monitored by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you have any questions, please contact the Customer Communications Center at 1-800-537-8233 between 8:00 am and 7:00 PM eastern time Monday through Friday, or 9:00 am to 5:30 PM on Saturday.
Sincerely,
John Deere Worldwide Commercial & Consumer Equipment Division
John Deere Vehicle Group
_______________________

[doctordeere]

This is a recall addressing an issue that truly IS a hazardous situation. Seems that someone on the assembly line used FUEL PICKUP fittings in the VENT fitting hole. Consequently, the pickup extends to the bottom of the tank, and the vent expells raw fuel instead of vapor. If you recieve one of these notes, GET IT DONE IMMEDIATELY, if not sooner. Our dealership has performed this dozens of times and not yet found one assembled wrong, but the potential is REAL.

"Doc"