1997 Ditch Witch S5a Recalls

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V041000
Manufacturer: CHARLES MACHINE WORKS INC
Manufactured Begin Date: January 10th, 1996
Manufactured End Date: December 31st, 1997
Date of Owner Notification: March 19th, 2001

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH WHEELS PAINTED SILVER WITH "DOT USA T 16 X 6 KH" STAMPED INTO THE RIM. THE CENTER DISK CAN CRACK WITH POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF RIM FROM DISK.

Consequence Summary:
THIS INCREASES THE RISK OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHARLES MACHINE AT 1-580-336-4402.

Recall Notes:
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V086000
Manufacturer: CHARLES MACHINE WORKS INC
Manufactured Begin Date: April 1st, 1996
Manufactured End Date: March 31st, 1997
Date of Owner Notification: June 17th, 1998

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH WHEELS THAT ARE STAMPED WITH "T16X16K DOT 0496 RUDEVECA." THE WHEEL CENTER TO RIM WELDS HAVE FAILED, CAUSING THE RIM TO BREAK LOOSE FROM THE WHEEL CENTER.

Consequence Summary:
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE TRAILER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 17,1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR TRAILERS TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHARLES MACHINE AT 1-580-336-3591.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 97V076000
Manufacturer: CHARLES MACHINE WORKS INC
Manufactured Begin Date: November 25th, 1996
Manufactured End Date: January 14th, 1997
Date of Owner Notification: March 24th, 1997

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRAILERS. INCORRECT SEALS WERE INSTALLED IN THE WHEEL ASSEMBLIES.

Consequence Summary:
THE INCORRECT SEAL CAN ALLOW GREASE TO LEAK ONTO THE BRAKES, REDUCING THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE TRAILER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT SEALS IN THE WHEEL ASSSEMBLIES.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MAY 27, 1997. NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR TRAILERS TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERS ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DITCH WITCH/CHARLES MACHINE AT 1-405-336-3591.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.