About 2,700 lawn tractors have been recalled by Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership, of Sullivan, Ill. A drive gear in the lawn tractor’s hydrostatic transaxle can fail causing brake failure, posing a crash hazard to consumers. This recall involves Cub Cadet, MTD Gold and Troy-Bilt lawn tractors sold with Hydro-Gear model 618-0319 and 618-04270B transaxles. Cub Cadet and Troy-Bilt tractors included in this recall have dates of manufacture (DOM) ranging from December 2010 through March 2011. The DOM can be found on a label on the underside of the seat. MTD Gold can be identified by serial numbers starting with 1L15 or 1L16. Affected transaxles have serial numbers with the first four digits ranging between 0333 and 0348. Transaxle model and serial numbers are printed on a label on the transaxle.

The tractors were sold by lawn and garden retailers nationwide from January 2011 through January 2012 for between $1,900 and $2,800. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled lawn tractors and contact them for instructions on obtaining a repair from an authorized service provider. For additional information, please contact them toll-free at (888) 848-6038 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit www.cubcadet.com, www.troybilt.com or www.MTDproducts.com. Consumers can also visit Hydro-Gear’s website at www.hydro-gear.com.