Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2016 KME Predator and KME 2016-2107 Predator Severe Service and Panther emergency vehicles, equipped with pumps to provide pressurized water to aid in fighting fires. These pumps have 6" intake strainers that may have been improperly soldered during production and, as a result, the strainers may come apart during use, allowing parts of the strainer and debris to enter the pump, possibly damaging the pump.
If the strainer and/or debris enters the pump, and the operator is forced to shut down the pump, reducing firefighting effectiveness, there could be an increased risk of injury.
KME will notify owners to check the strainer for missing solder at the joints. Any strainers missing solder will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 14, 2016. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-570-669-5577 or Hale Products Customer Service Center at 1-800-533-3569.
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.