T109 pictured at Filey with 12-11 "Lifetime Care"

The Talus MBH tractor was developed jointly by the RNLI and M A Bigland (Preparations) of Knighton, Powys, and is the first tractor to be specifically designed to launch carriage lifeboats. Previous lifeboat tractors had been converted from commercial designs.

It was necessary to design a special tractor because commercial designs were becoming more difficult and costly to adapt. In addition they could not meet the RNLI requirements such as ground clearance, track width and water-proofing.

Development of these tracked, semi-submersible vehicles book place at Knighton, in local quarries and on farm roads. The prototype was then tested at lifeboat stations with the most arduous launching conditions.

Trials were completed in 1982 and the first tractor went on station at Hoylake in the same year.

Technical Details

The tractor has a totally enclosed cab for the driver and is fully waterproof and capable of operating at greater depths than existing tractors.

Two quartz iodine headlights are fitted at each end in glazed water-proof boxes, which also contain side and tail lights, turn indicators and blue flashing lights. In addition two quartz iodine floodlights are mounted at each end of the cab roof.

Because the tractor has been specifically designed, it has been possible to build in a very efficient air cooling system for use on the beach. When the tractor enters the water, a pair of protected keel coolers take over automatically.

The driving seat can face either way and control is by a simple joystick which is pushed in the direction of travel required. The power to the joystick is controlled by a 'deadman's pedal' which is the only control necessary for travel other than engine speed. The winch is operated by a simple haul/stop/payout lever, again protected by a deadman's pedal.

History of Tractors and the RNLI

On flat, sandy beaches, the lifeboat has to be hauled onto the water on a carriage. For about 100 years horses were used. The lifeboat horse, like the lifeboatman, had other forms of employment and joined the rush for the lifeboat station when the maroons went off.

It was largely through experience gained in the use of tanks in World War I that horses became redundant. The caterpillar tractor provided an obvious substitute and the first trials were conducted in 1920. Horses were used to launch a lifeboat for the last time in Wells, Norfolk in 1934.

Tractor Statistics
Weight - 19 tonnes (with track pads)
Power - 210hp, Caterpillar 3208 diesel engine
Length - 5.5m
Width - 2.4m
Height - 2.9m
Max Speed - 7mph
Drawbar Pull - 15 tonnes
Winch wire Pull - 15 tonnes
Track Plates - 50.8cm