Incorrect Fuel Lines May Cause Fire

Affected vehicles (3)

Component / system

Defect

Alamo Group Inc. (Morbark) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Morbark EB1821, EB2131, and EB1922 brush chippers. The fuel lines that provide fuel to the engine may not have the necessary pressure rating of 58 pounds per square inch (PSI).

Risk / consequence

An engine fuel line rated below the necessary pressure rating may burst and leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the engine fuel lines, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 9, 2024. Owners may contact Morbark's customer service at 1-800-255-8839.

Chronology of events

1. March 2024

   In mid-March 2024 Morbark received an inquiry from a dealer asking about the pressure rating of the engine fuel lines. The dealer had noticed that the rating for the fuel lines was 50 PSI. The dealer asked Morbark if this was correct and a sufficient pressure rating for the pressure requirements of the engine. Morbark began investigating the issue and testing the required pressure of the engine. A Morbark powertrain engineering manager tested the engine and the fuel line and discovered that the engine operates at a pressure of 58 PSI. This pressure was above the pressure rating of the fuel lines that Morbark installed on the engines. The powertrain engineer then researched the required amount of pressure necessary for the 50 PSI rated fuel line to burst and discovered that this would likely happen when the pressure reached 250 PSI or greater. However, it was also determined that at 58 PSI there was a chance that the fuel line could burst. Morbark then determined which models would have had these type of fuel lines installed. Morbark determined that the issue was related to the use of engine fuel lines with an inadequate pressure rating for the engine. Morbark then determined that the use of engine fuel lines with a higher pressure rating above 58 PSI would ensure the engine fuel lines did not burst and douse the engine in fuel. A higher pressure rated fuel line was sourced and tested and it was determined that it would not burst at the 58 PSI required by the engine. As of May 10, 2024, Alamo is aware of no warranty claims, no deaths, and no injuries related to this issue. The dealer inquiry in mid-March 2024 is the only such inquiry, notification, or report Alamo has received on this issue. On May 10, 2024 Alamo decided to declare a voluntary safety recall to remedy this issue.

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

JUL 12, 2024 - JUL 12, 2024

Owner notification

JUL 12, 2024 - JUL 12, 2024