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For Immediate Release

Contact:
Mark Derowitsch
Bailey Lauerman
402-479-0220
Email: mderowitsch@baileylauerman.com
Web site: www.exmark.com

LEADING OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS STANDARDIZE ROLLOVER PROTECTION SYSTEM ON ZERO-TURN MODELS

EXMARK AND TORO OFFER FREE RETROFIT FOR OLDER UNITS

BEATRICE, Neb. (November 1, 2005) – Leading outdoor equipment manufacturers have teamed up to emphasize the importance of Rollover Protection Systems (ROPS) in safely operating zero-turn-radius riding lawnmowers. ROPS, in combination with seatbelts, are effective in preventing serious injury or death if operators overturn equipment. Kubota^® was the first to implement ROPS on its zero-turn equipment. In 2004, Exmark^® and Toro^® made ROPS standard on new equipment, and John Deere has now joined the trend.

Exmark is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Toro Company specializes in the design and manufacture of professional mowing equipment.

“Safety is a primary concern for major manufacturers of Z riders, and standardized ROPS is an important step in protecting operators,” said Mike Hoffman, president and CEO of The Toro Company. “Exmark and Toro even offered a free retrofitting program for older models. In addition, they partnered with the National Safety Council to create a training program designed to protect landscaping workers and prevent injury by sharing safe mowing techniques.”

The Commercial Equipment Operators’ (CEO) Safety Training Program offers effective, culturally based safety training to operators of zero-turn commercial mowers. The training package can be used in the field or classroom and addresses the maneuverability and operational functions unique to zero-turn mowers.

In conjunction with specialized training, standardized ROPS are intended to protect equipment operators in the event of an accidental rollover. Studies of small agricultural tractors equipped with ROPS and seatbelts have found them to be unequivocally successful in saving lives.

About Exmark
Exmark Manufacturing was incorporated in 1982 and, since its inception, has been engaged in the design and manufacture of mid-size, commercial walk-behind and riding lawnmowers for landscape professionals. In addition to designing, building and marketing quality turf-care equipment, Exmark’s goal is total customer satisfaction. Products are sold to distributors who, in turn, market to dealers throughout the continental United States and Canada.

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