UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- It may surprise you, but one of the most popular features with attendees at Penn State's Ag Progress Days through the years has been the tractor rollover demonstrations, and they return to the 2004 edition of the show, Aug. 17-19.

Safety specialists will demonstrate tractor overturn hazards with a full-size tractor and crash dummies on Aug. 17 and Aug. 19 at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. After the tractor demonstrations, Northern York County Regional Police officers will discuss the hazards of using farm equipment on public roadways.

Also, a demonstration of the new PAgricultural Rescue Training Program module, "Managing Tractor Overturns," including scene stabilization and extrication techniques, will be presented Aug. 18 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

"For some reason, our tractor rollover demonstrations often draw big crowds," says Dennis Murphy, distinguished professor of agricultural engineering. "Tractor manufacturers have voluntarily installed rollover protection systems on all new tractors since 1985. Still, nationwide data show that one-half of tractors in the United States do not have an approved rollover protection structure on them."

Murphy also says farmers should be particularly familiar with safe operating principles for tractors and understand load and balance dynamics for operating tractors on uneven or hilly terrain. He emphasizes that farmers also should know the correct procedure for pulling loads to prevent the tractor from rolling over backwards.

"Use of rollover protection systems and seatbelts on tractors can save lives and injuries," Murphy says. "It may cost extra dollars to retrofit an older tractor with a rollover protection system and seatbelts, but the result will be safer operating conditions for every tractor operator on the farm." In addition, to be held in the tent on West 9th Street near the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building is the Farm Safety and Health Quiz Bowl. On Aug. 18, 4-H teams (at 9:30 a.m.) and FFA youth (at 1 p.m.) will answer farm safety and health questions in this semi-final quiz bowl event. The winning teams will advance to the state finals in January at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

In addition, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Farm Safety & Occupational Health Advisory Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 18 in the quiz bowl tent. The public is invited. At the end of West 8th Street in the Agricultural Safety and Health tent, next to the Farm Safety Demonstration Area, learn about a new curriculum for teaching youth about tractor and farm machinery safety. Visitors also can examine the latest Pennsylvania farm injury statistics and talk with farm safety and agricultural emergency management specialists about programs and resources.

Penn State's Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 17; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 18; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 19. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call 800-PSU-1010 toll-free through August 19 or visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Dennis Murphy at 814-865-7157 or by e-mail at djm13@psu.edu.

Writer/Editor: Jeff Mulhollem Office 814-863-2719