Tractor Safety as Fundamental as a Parachute on a Plane

Kubota Reinforces Important Tractor Safety Reminders in Observance of Harvest
Season National Farm Safety and Health Week, September 20-26, 2009

TORRANCE, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
After a recent tractor rollover accident, a farmer likened not having a tractor
rollover protection structure, or ROPS, to falling out of an airplane without a
parachute - a safety precaution not often thought about until the plane is about
to crash. In this particular incident, when the tractor he was driving was
rear-ended by a truck and rolled over, he was able to walk away with only minor
injuries because his tractor was equipped with a ROPS and his seatbelt was
fastened. This example - just one among many - confirms the belief that while
tractor accidents are not predictable, following recommended safety precautions
for operating equipment can go a long way toward reducing injuries or death.

Agriculture has inherent dangers, with 28.7 deaths per 100,000 adult workers,
according to the National Safety Council (NSC). As this year`s busy fall harvest
season gets underway, Kubota is encouraging all tractor and equipment users to
heed these statistics and renew their emphasis on safety in observance of the
NSC`s National Farm Safety and Health Week, September 20-26, 2009.

"For Kubota, safety is a year-round priority," says Greg Embury, vice president
of sales and marketing, Kubota Tractor Corporation. "The start of harvest season
is a good time to remind everyone who operates tractors and heavy equipment -
farmers, ranchers and their families - about tractor safety. A small amount of
time committed to following safe equipment operation now can be your `parachute`
to help prevent serious injury or fatality due to an unfortunate accident in the
future."

Make sure your tractor - old and new - has a fully operational Rollover
Protective Structure or ROPS.The operation of a tractor equipped with ROPS and a
fastened seatbelt, is considered to be highly effective in preventing serious
injury and death due to tractor rollovers because the ROPS and fastened seatbelt
provide a protective zone around the operator. According to the NSC, if all
tractors were equipped with a ROPS and a safety belt, about 350 lives would be
saved each year.

Kubota`s "Ten Commandments of Tractor Safety" for review this harvest season:

1.) Know your tractor, its implements and how they work.

Please read and understand the Operator's Manual(s) before operating the
equipment. Also, keep your equipment in good condition.

2.) Use ROPS and seatbelt whenever and wherever applicable.

If your tractor has a foldable ROPS, fold it down only when absolutely necessary
and fold it up and lock it again as soon as possible. Do not wear the seatbelt
when the ROPS is folded.* Most tractor fatalities are caused by overturns.
(*Kubota Tractor Corporation strongly recommends the use of ROPS and seatbelts
in almost all applications.)

3.) Be familiar with your terrain and work area - walk the area first to be sure
and drive safely.

Use special caution on slopes, slow down for all turns and stay off the highway
whenever possible.

4.) Never start an engine in a closed shed or garage.

Exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, which is colorless, odorless - and deadly.

5.) Always keep your PTO properly shielded.

Make it a habit to walk around your tractor and PTO driven implement - never
walk over, through or between the tractor and implement, particularly if either
is running. The PTO rotates with enough speed and strength to kill you.

6.) Keep your hitches low and always on the drawbar.

Otherwise, your tractor might flip over backwards.

7.) Never get off a moving tractor or leave it with its engine running.

Shut it down before leaving the seat. A runaway tractor can be extremely
dangerous.

8.) Never refuel while the engine is running or hot.

Additionally, do not add coolant to the radiator while the engine is hot; hot
coolant can erupt and scald.

9.) Keep all children off and away from your tractor and its implements at all
times.

Children are generally attracted to tractors and the work they do. However, a
tractor's work is not child's play. Remember, a child's disappointment is
fleeting, while your memory of his or her injury or death resulting from riding
the tractor with you, or being too close, will last a lifetime.

10.) Never be in a hurry or take chances about anything you do with your
tractor.

Think safety first, then take your time and do it right.

Safety Education Important at a Young Age

When it comes to protecting our kids, farm safety education is critical. The
National Education Center for Agriculture Safety estimates there are more than
100 farm-related deaths to children each year and that most die in incidents
involving tractors and other heavy equipment. As a sponsor of the Progressive
Agriculture Safety Day educational program, Kubota is part of an effort designed
tomake safety education and training available for children year-round. Now in
its 15th year, the program will conclude more than 350 Safety Day events in
2009, spanning 35 states, six Canadian provinces, the U.S. Virgin Islands and
American Samoa. In 2008, the programs reached more than 84,000 children and
adults in rural communities, and to date has touched the lives of more than
740,000 participants.

Additional safety information, including Kubota`s "Ten Commandments of Tractor
Safety" brochure, Kubota`s "Hazard Hunt" game, and a tractor safety coloring
book, can be found at www.kubota.com. Owners of older model Kubota tractors can
also utilize a ROPS and Seatbelt Installation function on the Kubota.com safety
pages that allows owners to submit their tractor`s model and serial number for
eligible models to obtain retrofit pricing from their local Kubota dealer.
Contact your local dealer for more information on ROPS retrofits for older
tractor models. Major tractor manufacturers have special programs where a ROPS
can be obtained for most tractors manufactured since 1970. To date, Kubota
dealers throughout the country have installed more than 10,000 retrofits.

Kubota Tractor Corporation, Torrance, Calif., is the U.S. marketer and
distributor of Kubota-branded equipment, including a complete line of tractors
up to 118 PTO hp, performance-matched implements, compact and utility-class
construction equipment, consumer lawn and garden equipment, commercial turf
products and utility vehicles. For product literature or dealer locations,
contact Kubota Tractor Corporation at 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503,
(888) 4-KUBOTA [(888) 458-2682], Ext. 900, or visit www.kubota.com.

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For Kubota Tractor Corporation
Christine Schunk, 877-582-6826
newsroom@kubotamedia.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009