Recall 18V276 covers 4 2017-2018 Altec Heartland EC175, EC225, and EC655 Boom-Mounted Saw vehicles for load-holding-valve misadjustment. Repair is free at an Altec Heartland dealer.
Altec Heartland is recalling 4 2017-2018 EC225 Boom-Mounted Saw, EC655 Boom-Mounted Saw, and EC175 Boom-Mounted Saw vehicles because the grappler load holding valve is not properly adjusted. A tree trunk can slip or fall unexpectedly and raise the risk of injury; the Altec Heartland dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The grappler load holding valve on 2017-2018 Altec Heartland EC225 Boom-Mounted Saw, EC655 Boom-Mounted Saw, and EC175 Boom-Mounted Saw vehicles is part of the hydraulic system that controls the grappler. Its job is to hold hydraulic pressure so the grappler keeps its grip on a tree trunk after the operator clamps it. When that valve is set correctly, the trunk stays controlled while the boom-mounted saw works.
The recall addresses an improperly adjusted grappler load holding valve. That adjustment problem can let hydraulic pressure bleed off or fail to hold the load firmly enough. When the grip relaxes, the tree trunk can slip or fall without the operator intending it, creating a hazard near the work area.
There is no warning sign before failure. The operator should treat any loss of grip control as a serious equipment problem and have the valve adjustment checked before using the grappler again.
Who's affected?
Covers three boom-mounted saw models across the 2017 and 2018 model years, all listed under the same Equipment component.
| 2018 Altec Heartland EC225 Boom-Mounted Saw | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2017 Altec Heartland EC225 Boom-Mounted Saw | Equipment |
| 2018 Altec Heartland EC655 Boom-Mounted Saw | Equipment |
| 2017 Altec Heartland EC655 Boom-Mounted Saw | Equipment |
| 2017 Altec Heartland EC175 Boom-Mounted Saw | Equipment |
| 2018 Altec Heartland EC175 Boom-Mounted Saw | Equipment |
| Units affected | 4 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If a tree trunk slips or falls from the grappler, people near the equipment face an increased risk of injury. Keep bystanders clear when the saw is being used, and arrange the valve adjustment through the dealer when the repair is open. Repair will be free at any franchised Altec Heartland dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2018 Altec Heartland EC225 Boom-Mounted Saw, EC655 Boom-Mounted Saw, or EC175 Boom-Mounted Saw is included in this recall.
- Contact Altec Heartland customer service to confirm the free repair path for your VIN.
- Schedule the grappler load holding valve adjustment that helps keep the tree trunk from slipping or falling unexpectedly.
- Bring the recall notice if Altec Heartland mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V276 when you call.
- Keep people clear of the grappler work area until the valve adjustment is complete.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available for your VIN, an Altec Heartland technician properly adjusts the grappler load holding valve so it holds the tree trunk as intended. The source remedy says the recall began on June 22, 2018, and the adjustment is free of charge. Confirm the repair status with the dealer before moving the vehicle in for service, since this input does not list the current remedy status.
Timeline
| April 30, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 5, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 6, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 22, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V276?
Recall 18V276 covers 4 2017-2018 Altec Heartland EC175 Boom-Mounted Saw, EC225 Boom-Mounted Saw, and EC655 Boom-Mounted Saw vehicles. The grappler load holding valve needs adjustment, which can allow a tree trunk to slip or fall unexpectedly and increase injury risk.
What should I do if my 2017-2018 Altec Heartland EC175 Boom-Mounted Saw, EC225 Boom-Mounted Saw, or EC655 Boom-Mounted Saw is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V276. If it is, contact a franchised Altec Heartland dealer or Altec customer service at 1-877-462-5832 and reference recall number 18V276 or Altec recall CSN 679. The valve adjustment is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Altec's recall remedy says dealers will properly adjust the grappler load holding valve free of charge. The free repair applies to included 2017-2018 Altec Heartland EC175 Boom-Mounted Saw, EC225 Boom-Mounted Saw, and EC655 Boom-Mounted Saw vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury from a tree trunk slipping or falling unexpectedly. The defect involves the grappler load holding valve, which controls load holding during saw and grappler work. If your VIN is included, arrange the free valve adjustment before returning the equipment to service.
When did owner notices start for recall 18V276?
Owner notification for recall 18V276 began on June 22, 2018. If you own one of these Altec Heartland boom-mounted saw vehicles now and did not receive the original notice, check your VIN and contact Altec customer service with recall number 18V276 or CSN 679.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V276000 |
|---|---|
| Altec Heartland customer service | 1-877-462-5832 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V276 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V276000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →