Wheel Lug Nuts May Loosen – 2020 Vermeer BC1500 & BC1200XL Wood Chippers

June 11, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V344000

Wheel Lug Nuts May Loosen

A wheel detachment while the vehicle is in motion may increase the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V344

Manufacturer Vermeer Manufacturing Company

Components WHEELS

 

Summary

Vermeer Manufacturing Company (Vermeer) is recalling certain 2020 BC1500 and BC1200XL wood chippers. The wheel lug nuts may loosen and fall off, allowing the wheel to detach.

 

Remedy

Vermeer will notify owners, and dealers will replace 16″ wheels with 17.5″ wheel/tire assemblies as well as replacing corresponding maintenance sign, specification placard, and supplemental operator’s information, free of charge. The recall began July 30, 2020. Owners may contact Vermeer customer service t 1-800-829-0051, extension 7060. Vermeer’s number for this recall is IK.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

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Vermeer Corporation

Environmental
Pella, IA 50219 USA

FIELD CAMPAIGN SERVICE BULLETIN #

SVC2020-092

DATE:

16 July 2020

 

CAMPAIGN TYPE:	Mandatory-Product Safety DEALER INSTALLATION ONLY
CAMPAIGN CATEGORY:	Kit and Bulletin

 

MACHINE / ATTACHMENT MODEL (S) :	Serial Numbers
	Included	Excluded	Kit Version
BC1500	11056 – 11110	11066, 11067, 11069, 11074, 11076 – 11080, 11082,  11090 – 11092, 11097, 11101, 11102, 11107, 11109	IK01

 

Subject: 

PRODUCT

SAFETY  RECALL

FIRST NOTICE

BC1500 Wheel and Tire Assembly Replacement Kit (IK00-3966)

 

Background:

POSSIBLE LOSS OF WHEEL AND RISK OF CRASH

After April 18, 2020, specific 16” x 8”, 8 on 6.5” wheels provided to Vermeer Corporation by a supplier have a manufacturing variance in the lug nut seat height which can cause the lug nuts to loosen.

 

DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY POSSIBLE

If lug nuts loosen when towing the brush chipper, the risk of wheel loss and a crash is possible resulting in death or serious injury. Property damage may also occur.

 

Solution:

IMMEDIATE MACHINE MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED

IK00-3966 has been created to provide the necessary parts and instructions to replace the wheel and tire assembly and install a new wheel/tire specification placard decal. This kit must be installed as soon as possible.

 

Please be reminded that it is a violation of Federal law for you to sell or lease the machines covered by this notification until this recall has been performed on these machines. Substantial civil penalties apply to violations of this law.

 

DEALER PARTICIPATION

REVIEW REPORT, ORDER KITS, CONTACT CUSTOMERS

1. Reports will be emailed during the week of July 16, 2020, to dealerships shown in our records which have units in their territory affected by this Alert. Please review the report for accuracy, including owner and/or address changes.

 

If the information contained in the report is NOT correct, please notify the Product Safety Department on or before July 29, 2020 at:

Telephone: 641-621-7060
Fax: 641-621-8562
Email: productsafety@vermeer.com

 

2. Dealerships Order Kits by entering the order into iParts/EZParts.

Each dealership should determine the quantity of Kits to order initially depending upon the number of units that may be available for immediate upgrade. Do not order more Kits than needed for immediate installation.

 

3. Contact your affected customer(s) to schedule a mutually acceptable time to upgrade their machine. Note: Letters will be sent to the customer(s) on or about July 30, 2020. Also refer to Owner Notification section below.

 

If you have any questions concerning the installation of IK00-3966, please contact the Environmental Service Department.

 

REIMBURSEMENT

Upon completion of each Kit installation, a campaign Warranty Claim must be submitted to the Corporate Warranty Department for reimbursement of the cost of parts and labor to install the Kit. The campaign Warranty Claim:

1. Must include photos of destroyed wheels.
2. Must include a copy of the Work Order if travel is requested.

 

Labor hours to install IK01: 2.0 hours. Note: Tire disposal is included in the labor hours. No additional reimbursement will be paid.

Note: Future notices to dealers and owners are dependent upon the receipt of Warranty Claims.

 

OWNER NOTIFICATION

Sample Letter: Included at the end of this Bulletin is a sample letter which will be sent by Vermeer Corporation directly to the Owners on or about July 30, 2020, via USPS certified/registered mail. Owner letters will be translated into the following language:

 

• French

 

All translated owner notices will also include English owner notification.

 

This owner notification/letter instructs the owner to contact their local dealership to arrange for a time to have the Kit installed. After receiving IK00-3966 from the Parts Center, you must contact your affected customer(s) immediately and schedule a mutually acceptable time to upgrade their machine.

 

We regret any inconvenience these corrective measures may cause you. This required work is for the safety of the crew, the towing vehicle occupants and others traveling the public roadways. We hope you agree the safety benefits surpass the inconvenience.

 

PRODUCT SAFETY DEPARTMENT

 

Attachment:

IK00-3966 Kit Instructions

 

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NHTSA SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 20V-344

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

First Notice

Wheel and Tire Assembly Replacement Kit   (IK00-3966)

 

VIA USPS CERTIFIED/REGISTERED MAIL

 

July 30, 2020

Model: «Model»
This notice applies to your vehicle,
Serial No: «VIN»

 

Dear «MODEL» Owner:

 

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

 

Vermeer has decided that a defect, that relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain model year 2020 Vermeer «MODEL» brush chipper trailers.

 

POSSIBLE LOSS OF WHEEL AND RISK OF CRASH

After April 18, 2020, specific 16” x 8”, 8 on 6.5” wheels provided to Vermeer Corporation by a supplier have a manufacturing variance in the lug nut seat height which can cause the lug nuts to loosen.

 

DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY POSSIBLE

If lug nuts loosen when towing the brush chipper, the risk of wheel loss and a crash is possible resulting in death or serious injury. Property damage may also occur.

 

IMMEDIATE MACHINE MODIFICATIONS REQUIRED

IK00-3966 has been created to provide the necessary parts and instructions to replace the wheel and tire assembly and install a new wheel/tire specification placard decal. This kit must be installed as soon as possible.

 

Please contact your authorized, independent Vermeer dealer immediately to arrange a mutually acceptable time and location to install IK00-3966 at no cost to you for labor or materials. The installation of this kit is estimated at 2 hours of labor.  If the Vermeer dealer travels to the unit to install the kit, costs may be incurred by the owner. You must have your machine upgraded for these safety features.

 

Contact your local Vermeer Dealer: «Service_Dealer_Name» «Serv_Dealer_Add1» «Serv_Dealer_Add2» «Serv_Dealer_City» «Serv_Dealer_St» «Serv_Dealer_Zip» «SERV_DEALER_COUNTRY» Telephone: «Serv_Dealer_Phone»

 

According to our records, you currently own a Vermeer «MODEL» ^[PRODUCT TYPE]. The Model and Serial Number of the «MODEL» is shown at the top right of this letter.  If you no longer own this unit, please notify the Product Safety Department at:

Toll Free: 800-829-0051, extension 7060
Telephone: 641-621-7060
E-mail: productsafety@vermeer.com

If possible, please provide the name and address of the new owner.

 

We regret any inconvenience these corrective measures may cause you. This required work is for the safety of the crew, the towing vehicle occupants and others traveling the public roadways. We hope you agree the safety benefits surpass the inconvenience.

 

Very truly yours,

PRODUCT SAFETY DEPARTMENT

 

Federal regulations require that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten (10) days. 

 

If the authorized dealer has failed or is unable to remedy the defect without charge and within a reasonable time, contact Vermeer Product Safety by email at productsafety@vermeer.com or by calling 800-829-0051 or 641-621-7060. You may also submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov

 

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Vermeer Corporation

Environmental
Pella, IA 50219 USA

FIELD CAMPAIGN KIT#	IK003966	DATE:	16 July 2020
For Dealer Reference: Service Bulletin #SVC2020-092
BC1500 Wheel and Tire Assembly Replacement Kit
CAMPAIGN TYPE:	Mandatory-Product Safety DEALER INSTALLATON ONLY
CAMPAIGN CATEGORY:	Kit and Bulletin
MACHINE/ ATTACHMENT MODEL(S):	Serial Numbers
	Included	Excluded	Kit Version
BC1500	11056 – 11110	11066, 11067, 11069, 11074, 11076 – 11080, 11082, 11090 – 11092, 11097, 11101, 11102, 11107, 11109	IK01

 

PRODUCT
SAFETY ALERT

PURPOSE: POSSIBLE LOSS OF WHEEL AND RISK OF CRASH  After April 18, 2020, specific 16” x 8”, 8 on 6.5” wheels provided to Vermeer Corporation by a supplier have a manufacturing variance in the lug nut seat height which can cause the lug nuts to loosen. If lug nuts loosen when towing the brush chipper, the risk of wheel loss and a crash is possible resulting in death or serious injury. Property damage may also occur. This kit has been created to provide the necessary parts and instructions to replace the wheel and tire assembly and install a new wheel/tire specification placard decal.

 

SPECIAL TOOLS AND CONDITIONS:

• None

 

WARNING: Failure to use shutdown procedure can result in unexpected hazard(s). Death or serious injury could result due to entanglement, crushing, cutting, or other hazardous contact. Follow

Shutdown Procedure after operating, before performing any service or maintenance, and before transporting.

 

Shutdown – BC1500

For your safety and safety of others, use the shutdown procedure before working on the machine for any reason, including servicing, cleaning, unclogging, inspecting, or transporting the chipper.

A variation of this procedure may be used if so instructed within this manual or if an emergency requires it.

1.    Return Upper Feed Control Bar to STOP position.

2.    Place Throttle Switch to LOW RPM.

Whenever practical and safe, allow engine to idle for 1 to 5 minutes before shutting down after operating at full power. Please consult machine’s engine manual for details.

3.    Wait for cutter drum to slow.

4.    Move Clutch/Throttle Lever to DISENGAGED/ LOW RPM position.

5.    If so equipped, shut off remote control if in use.

6.    Shut off engine and remove key.

7.    Wait for cutter drum and belt to stop.

 

NOTICE:  Cutter drum rotation can be checked by looking at the end of the shaft (A) on the left side of the cutter drum housing.

 

8.    Close and latch feed table.

 

Unless indicated, new parts from kit have callouts with numbers. Callouts with letters indicate existing parts or general items.

 

PROCEDURE: WHEELS, AXLES, AND SUSPENSION MAINTENANCE

 

WARNING: Incompatible lug nuts may loosen and cause wheel loss.

Use only 5/8-18 lug nuts with a 90° conicle taper.

 

NOTICE:  Improper or mismatched lug nuts and wheels can cause wheel loss leading to a crash. The conical taper of the lug nuts must properly engage the wheel lug nut seats.

 

The wheels and axle hubs on this trailer use special 5/8″-18 lug nuts with a 90° conical taper.

Never use incompatible lug nuts, such as those with a 60° taper or a flat face.

Never use wheels intended for 9/16″ wheel lugs.

Never use wheels that do not utilize a 90° conical lug nut seat taper.

 

WARNING: Incompatible wheels or loose lug nuts can cause wheel loss and machine damage.

 

Use only wheels that are compatible with 5/8 lug studs and 90° conical nuts. Check lug nut torque regularly.

Properly tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using only hand tools. DO NOT use impact wrenches which can damage the lug nuts, lug nut seats, and hub studs. Torque and recheck every 500 miles (800 km).

 

WARNING: Improper tire pressure can cause a blowout.

 

Set cold tire pressure according to tire placard. Check pressure monthly.

 

NOTICE:  Under-inflation causes tire damage and can lead to a blowout.

 

Set the tire air pressure to the value listed on the machine’s tire placard, NOT the pressure printed on the sidewall of the tire. Recheck monthly. Tires normally lose 1–2 psi (6.9–13.8 kPa) per month.

Tire pressure can also drop if the temperature outside has dropped significantly, so check more often in cold weather.

 

WARNING: Worn or damaged suspension can cause premature tire wear and machine damage.

 

Uneven wear on tires can be an indication of worn suspension or poor alignment.

Axle or suspension damage can cause premature tire wear and tire failure, or axle failure.

Have your trailer checked if you suspect misalignment, if your tires have suffered any type of impact, or if you observe uneven tire wear.

 

WARNING: Raised load can shift or fall. Death or serious injury could be possible if struck or crushed by falling load. Never allow anyone under a raised load unless load is securely supported to prevent it from shifting or falling.

 

PROCEDURE: WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLY 17.5 IK01

1. Using a suitable lifting device capable of lifting approximately 10,000 lb (4550 kg), raise machine off ground to allow adequate room to remove tire.
2. Place suitable blocking under trailer frame and remove lifting device.
3. Remove and discard eight wheel nuts, and wheel from each side of machine. Weight of each wheel is approximately 91 lb (42 kg).
4. Torch cut wheels across lug nut area.
5. Take a photo(s) of destroyed wheels and attach to campaign warranty claim.
6. Discard wheel nuts so they can no longer be used or sold for any purpose.
7. The removed used tires may be retained in your used tire inventory or disposed of. Cost of tire removal is included in labor hours.
8. Install new wheel (1) on the axle. Slide clamp ring (2) on axle. Secure using eight wheel nuts (3). Weight of each wheel is approximately 91 lb (42 kg).
9. Torque wheel nuts in a star pattern to 200 ft-lb (271 Nm).
10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 for opposite side.
11. Check tire pressure to be at 85 psi (590 kPa).
12. Attach one new tire information decal (4) on left side of machine.
13. Remove Figure 1 and attach to the invoice or place in the manual storage box so unit owner can place with existing Parts Manual.

 

UNIT OWNER COPY:

Insert into Parts Manual for future reference

 

 

FIGURE 1 Parts List
REF. NO.	PART NO.	DESCRIPTION	IK01 QTY.
1	163713905	HEAVY DUTY – WHEEL ASSY – 235/75R17.5 H/J; 5/8 S	2
2	215490049	CLAMP RING	2
3	116621009	WHEEL NUT 5/8in 18 CONE 90°	16
4	7000J032	DECAL- TIRE INFORMATION	1
		Kit IK01 includes all items in Figure 1 Parts List.

 

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2 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
VERMEER	BC1200XL	2020
VERMEER	BC1500	2020

 

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11 Associated Documents

Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-20V344-6539.pdf 857.143KB

 

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Safety Bulletin

RCSB-20V344-5781.pdf 710.358KB

 

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Recall 573 Report- AMENDMENT 1

RCLRPT-20V344-2694.PDF 214.537KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V344-8210.pdf 246.296KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V344-9190.PDF 215.724KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2020-4

RCLQRT-20V344-4794.PDF 211.227KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2020-4

RCLQRT-20V344-6636.PDF 211.3KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-1

RCLQRT-20V344-6788.PDF 211.3KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-3

RCLQRT-20V344-0803.PDF 211.121KB

 

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Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-20V344-3903.pdf 240.201KB

 

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Recall 573 Report- Amendment 2

RCLRPT-20V344-9394.PDF 215.191KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V344&docType=RCL

 

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