Deere & Co. is recalling about 7,000 of its compact utility tractors due to a hazard that can present a risk of serious injury or death to the operator, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports.

According to the commission, the spring locking pins in the tractors' rollover protective system can break and cause the systems to fail in the event of a rollover. Deere, headquartered in Moline, has received three reports of broken spring locking pins and identified two failed spring locking pins in the manufacturing assembly process.

The company has received no reports of injuries.

The recall involves 19 models of John Deere 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 series compact utility tractors, which were manufactured between February and July. They were sold at John Deere dealers nationwide for between $11,500 and $35,700. The tractors were manufactured in Augusta, Ga.

The tractors are green and yellow with a foldable black, metal rollover protection bar that extends above the operator's head.

The safety commission said consumers should stop using the product and contact a John Deere dealer for a free repair. Consumers also can call Deere at (800) 537-8233 from 7 a.m. to 5 pm. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays or visit www.deere.com and click on USA, then select Product Recall Information under Services & Support.

Registered owners of the recalled tractors are being contacted directly by Deere.