February 1, 2010

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

!  I M P O R T A N T !

- Ricon Wheelchair Lift are being recalled
- Contact Ricon Corporation immediately

WHAT IS BEING RECALLED:

This recall applies to all Public Use lift  manufactured from December 1, 2007 to Dec 18, 2009 equipped with a restraint  belt. This includes:

1). All DOT Public Use S and K Series wheelchair lifts

2). All DOT Public Use F9TF wheelchair lifts

WHY IS IT BEING RECALLED:

The restraint belt on these lifts was designed to prevent  the lift from moving, unless the tongue of the belt is fully engaged and latched  in the buckle.  We have discovered,  however, that it is possible for the operator to insert the belt tongue into  the buckle without fully engaging the latching mechanism.  In this case, the restraint belt would appear  to be latched, and the operator could run the lift.

If the restraint belt tongue is not fully engaged into the  restraint belt buckle, and latched, the lift may operate with an occupant on  the platform. Though it is incumbent on the operator to ensure that the belt is  fully engaged and latched, failure to check this is within the realm of  foreseeable misuse. This situation could cause personal injury.

WHAT VEHICLE MANUFACTURES MUST DO:

According to our records, affected units were purchased by  your company.  If those units were  installed as original equipment on vehicles manufactured at your facility, and  you agree that they contain a safety defect, your company must notify the  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and conduct a safety  recall. This notification to NHTSA must be made within 5 business days of  when you decide your vehicles contain a safety defect or noncompliance. It is  critical that the NHTSA guidelines are followed in a timely manner and that  your customers are notified of the safety defect in the Ricon DOT Public Use  Lifts, manufactured between December 1, 2007 and December 18, 2009 so they may  inform and train operators on the proper use of the equipment.  You may  contact the NHTSA with questions by sending an email to rmd.odi@dot.gov.   

To help you comply with your obligation to issue a safety  recall of the vehicles that contain an affected Ricon DOT Public Use Lifts,  manufactured between December 1, 2007 and December 18, 2009, we have attached  samples of a dealer service bulletin and a sample letter to owners of  potentially affected vehicles, along with a corresponding owner reply form,  which should facilitate your notification to dealers and owners of the recall  and the required repairs and service procedures.  Although we have  provided these samples to you for your convenience, you must submit drafts of  your version of these notices to NHTSA for approval at least 5 days prior to  mailing such notification to dealers and owners of potentially affected Ricon  DOT Public Use Lifts, manufactured between December 1, 2007 and December 18,  2009.

Notification to  dealers and distributors must be made by verifiable means such as certified  mail, verifiable electronic means such as receipts or logs from electronic mail  or satellite distribution system, or other more expeditious and verifiable  means. Notifications to owners of potentially affected vehicles are by  first class mail.  Please be advised that the outside of each envelope  containing an owner notification letter must be marked “SAFETY RECALL NOTICE”  all in capital letters, either in boldface or underlined, and in type that is  larger than that used in the address section.  A sample of the envelope  must be submitted to NHTSA for approval at least 5 business days before mailing  to owners.

IMPORTANT: Some of the vehicles affected  may still be in your inventory.  Federal law requires you to complete the  recall service on these vehicles before delivery. Ricon will provide  replacement or repair for these units prior to delivery to your customers.

Ricon is prepared to  assist you with all the materials, the mailings and reporting requirements of  this recall.  Daniel Mata, Ricon’s Recall  Coordinator will assist you with anything you may require. He can be reached  through Ricon Customer Service at (800)322-2884, Ext 3374, or by email, at www.DMata@wabtec.com 

WHAT RICON CORPORATION WILL DO:

Ricon will provide your customers with a warning a decal and  a DVD-based training aid to promote the “Click and Tug” campaign. Ricon may  provide other point of use materials to raise the awareness of the “Click and  Tug”campaign.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.  If you have any questions concerning these  procedures please contact Ricon Customer Service at (800)322-2884, extension  3374 to speak to our Recall Coordinator, Daniel Mata, or by email at DMata@wabtec.com.