Recall 14V601 affects 813 2011-2014 Altec DC1317 wood chippers because cutting disc bearing bolts can fail. Repair is free at any franchised Altec dealer.
Altec is recalling 813 2011-2014 DC1317 wood chippers because fasteners that hold the chipper cutting disc bearing can fail, letting the disc detach inside the housing. If the disc detaches, the operator or nearby people face increased injury risk, and the Altec dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The cutting disc in a 2011-2014 Altec DC1317 wood chipper is the heavy rotating wheel that cuts branches and brush as material feeds through the machine. A bearing supports that disc so it can spin in position, and fasteners hold the bearing to the chipper unit. That attachment has to stay tight and intact while the disc is under load.
On affected DC1317 chippers, the fasteners that attach the cutting disc bearing can fail. When that happens, the bearing no longer keeps the disc secured to the unit. The disc can detach from the chipper, creating a serious equipment failure around a rotating cutting component.
There is no warning sign before failure. That means an operator should not rely on sound, vibration, or feed behavior to decide whether the DC1317 is safe to run.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 DC1317 model years, with the same equipment category listed for each year.
| 2012 Altec DC1317 | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2013 Altec DC1317 | Equipment |
| 2014 Altec DC1317 | Equipment |
| 2011 Altec DC1317 | Equipment |
| Units affected | 813 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A detached disc inside the housing increases the risk of injury to the operator or people nearby. There is no warning sign before failure, so keep people clear of the housing area and schedule the recall repair soon if your DC1317 is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Altec dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2014 Altec DC1317 is included in this recall.
- Review the Altec owner notice mailed after October 29, 2014, if you have it.
- Call Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 and reference recall number 14V601 (Altec recall CSN 604).
- Schedule the free disc bearing mounting-bolt replacement that keeps the chipper cutting disc secured.
- Keep operators and bystanders clear of the chipper until Altec completes the repair.
What happens at the repair
What is known: Altec notified owners, and the dealer repair is replacement of the disc bearing mounting bolts. At the dealer, an Altec technician replaces the mounting bolts that hold the chipper cutting disc bearing to the unit. The final dealer repair will be free once available for your DC1317. Parts and labor are covered under recall 14V601. Ask the service desk to confirm parts availability before bringing the chipper in.
Timeline
| September 26, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 29, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V601?
Recall 14V601 covers 813 2011-2014 Altec DC1317 wood chippers with disc bearing mounting fasteners that can fail, allowing the cutting disc to detach inside the housing. That defect increases injury risk for the operator or people nearby. Altec dealers replace the disc bearing mounting bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2014 Altec DC1317 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chipper is included in recall 14V601. If it is, contact an Altec dealer or Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 to schedule replacement of the disc bearing mounting bolts. Reference recall number 14V601 or Altec CSN 604 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and Altec dealers replace the disc bearing mounting bolts free of charge. The recall repair began on October 29, 2014.
What is the safety risk with this Altec DC1317 recall?
The safety risk is injury to the operator or people nearby if the chipper cutting disc detaches inside the housing. Until your VIN is checked and the repair is complete, follow Altec's recall instructions and keep people clear of the chipper during service planning.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V601000 |
|---|---|
| Altec customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V601 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V601000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →