RNLI New Holland TC45 launch tractor
| New Holland TC45 | |
|---|---|
 New Holland TC45 RNLI Launch Vehicle | |
| Type | Launch vehicle |
| Manufacturer | New Holland |
| Length | 3.180 m (125.2 in)[1] |
| Width | 1.550 m (61.0 in)[1] |
| Height | 2.410 in (0.0612 m)[1] |
| Weight | 1,549 kg (3,415 lb)[1] |
| Propulsion | All Gear 4 wheel drive |
| Engine model | Shibaura 2.2L 4-cyl diesel[1] |
| Gross power | 45 hp (34 kW)* |
The New Holland TC45 is a four-wheel drive compact launch tractor which has been adapted to suite the launch and recover requirements for some of the RNLI inflatable inshore lifeboats from beach and shorebased launched lifeboat stations The Tractor is produced in the Basildon Tractor Plant of the Fiat owned New Holland.[2]
Specification
The RNLI engineering department in Poole worked in close liaison with the tractor company to give the institute’s the best possible options for a small launch tractor for many of it smaller stations which operate D-class inflatable lifeboats. This model features an excellent turning radius of 76°,[1] a necessary requirement on the tight location of some of the RNLI’s smaller stations. The powerful small diesel engine gives out a respectable 45 hp (34 kW)*.[1] The tractor is also undersealed to resist the saline atmosphere the tractor works in. The tractor is also fitted with turf tyres rather than the conventionally fitted agricultural tractor tyres as these work better in the sand and also grip well on the wooden and concrete slipways that many of these tractors have to negotiate. The tractors specification also complies with all the current DVLA legislation allowing the tractor to be used on the road network when necessary.
Tractor fleet
 |
| Op. No.[a] | In service | Station | Reg No. | Image | Current lifeboat payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TA 56 | |||||
| TA 57 | The Mumbles[3] | WA 03 EZC[4] | D-class (IB1) Peterborough Beer Festival II (D-761) | ||
| TA 58 | Littlehampton[5] | D-class (IB1) Spirit of Juniper (D-631) | |||
| TA 59 | St Ives[6] | ….53 HBF | D-class (IB1) Colin Bramley Parker (D-668) | ||
| TA 61 | Anstruther[7] | NK53 OFG | D-class (IB1) The Rotary Centenary Queen (D-667) | ||
| TA 69 | Achill Island[8] | 05 0 721 67 | Used to launch the boarding boat for the Trent-class Sam and Ada Moody (ON 1240) | ||
| TA 76[9] | Conwy[10] |
|
D-class (IB1) Arthur Bate II (D-627) | ||
| TA 87[11] | Penarth[12] | D-class (IB1) Connie Dains (D-692) | |||
| TA 110 | Moelfre[13] | SF10 FDA | D-class (IB1) Enfys (D-689) |
- ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the tractor.
See also
- Talus MB-4H launch tractor
- Talus MB-H Launch tractor
- Talus MB-764 Launch tractor
- Talus Atlantic 85 DO-DO launch carriage
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "New Holland TC45". Tractor specifications for TC45 model. Tractor Data © 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "New Holland Tractors". New Holland Tractor Range. New Holland © 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "Mumbles Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ^ "Round the clock rescues for Mumbles RNLI volunteers". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ^ "Littlehampton Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ "St-Ives Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ "Anstruther Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ "Achill Island Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ "TA76 New Holland Tractor". Conwy Lifeboat. Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ^ "Conwy Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ "Penarth Lifeboat's Sull Island Taxi-service in Action Again". Penarth Daily News. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ^ "Penarth Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ "Moelfre Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 1 April 2014.