There were pictures showing the style there was a problem with. You have to look up the website to see the pictures. My horticulture friend just forwarded it to me and there was no website listed. Karl
Important Safety Recall
Dear associate in tree care,
Attached is a VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE regarding aluminum rings, commonly available through arborist suppliers, which have broken on tree climbers! The rings are most often used in friction savers and as a saddle bridge connection point. Please take the time to read our voluntary recall notice in this email before inspecting your gear. Please distribute this information to anyone you know in our industry that may use this product.
Thank you, Tobe Sherrill
August 26, 2009
(VOLUNTARY) RECALL aluminum rings not individually tested
KONG Bonaiti of Italy has confirmed the issuance of polished aluminum rings that were sourced elsewhere and distributed without individual testing. A quantity of these rings were mixed into KONG boxes without having been individually tested and laser marked. Furthermore, two users have experienced failure of these rings that could have led to injury. If you have such a ring (below left), stand-alone or spliced into a product, it is vitally important that you dispose of or submit for replacement immediately.
!! Delaying or avoiding immediate disposal or replacement could prove fatal to user !!
Upon receipt of recalled ring(s), the sender will be furnished free of charge an individually tested and laser etched replacement. If a similar ring WAS PURCHASED ELSEWHERE, we will gladly replace it. If the ring supports a Sherrill-spliced rope product, that too will be replaced and shipped (within the US) at no additional charge. SherrillTree will compensate customers having bought direct from SherrillTree (with invoice on record) with $5 credit for their shipping expenses. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may present and will work quickly to return replacements.
Rings
SherrillTree logo Please include return address and send RINGS ONLY (and Sherrill-spliced attachment if exists) to:
Ring Recall 200 Seneca Rd. Greensboro, NC 27406
NOTE ABOUT ALUMINUM ALLOY During over 25 years serving the tree care industry, a profession known to be extremely harsh on tools and equipment, SherrillTree has never witnessed or heard report of any similarly forged aluminum carabiner snapping in two ...ever. We've seen them straightened out, twisted, gates destroyed and even alarmingly-deep rope abrasion, but never broken in two as witnessed with this forged ring. Damaged gates are most always due to misloading directly upon the gate while deep abrasion is slow to progress, providing users plenty of indication to retire. Insofar as straightened carabiners go, all have been due to loads that were exceptionally high, forces that the human body could likely not endure. With that in mind, also know that Sherrill sells perhaps 100 carabiners to every 1 ring and the carabiners get used perhaps that many multiples more in the standard climbing routine. In short, aluminum hardware provided by reputable manufacturers have proven safe, sound and extremely durable.