UMaine News

Free Signs will Increase Safety for Maine Farmers

Contact: Richard Brzozowski, 207-287-1471

ORONO, Me.–University of Maine Cooperative Extension and several farm equipment dealers have joined forces to offer free “Slow-Moving-Vehicle” (SMV) signs to Maine farmers this year. These bright signs–fluorescent orange triangles bordered with reflective red–are mounted on the rear of farm tractors and implements traveling slower than 25 miles per hour in order to warn motorists of the slow-moving vehicle. Farmers that would like to obtain a free SMV sign should contact UMaine Extension at 800-287-1471. Farmers will receive a coupon and safety packet about how to use the sign and about the use of tractors on public roads. Farmers can then pick up their sign or signs (up to two per farmer) at their nearest participating farm-equipment dealer before October 31.

Many Maine farmers and farm workers are moving equipment, livestock, hay and crops with tractors, and on public roads this can be a dangerous situation. The reflective border of the SMV sign defines the shape of the fluorescent color in daylight, and creates a hollow red triangle when illuminated by headlights at night.

Participating farm-equipment dealers include the following businesses:

• Beauregard Equipment Inc.–Scarborough
• Delekto Bros–Auburn
• Greenway Equipment Sales–Bangor
• Greenway Equipment Sales–Ellsworth
• Hall Implement Co.–Windham
• Hammond Tractor–Union
• Hammond Tractor–Fairfield
• Ingraham Equipment Ctr.–Knox
• Kramer’s Inc.–Sidney
• MPG Truck & Tractor–Presque Isle
• Peabody Parts Intl.–Houlton
• RS Osgood & Sons–East Dixfield
• Shaw’s Ridge Equipment–Sanford
• Theriault Equipment–Presque Isle
• Union Farm Equipment–Union
• Wallingford Equipment–Auburn
• Waterman Farm Machinery Co., Inc.–Sabattus
• Wescott & Sons–Gorham

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