The third and final part of the late Donald Bowler’s feature on life boat launching tractors sees him look at the latest technology employed by the RNLI, as well as the machines used at independent life boat stations up and down the country.
During the run of 21 tracked Talus MBH tractors, and after completion of County 764-based Talus 764 TW15 in 1987, in 1991 the RNLI started taking delivery of a purpose-built four-wheel drive centre-pivot tractor, the Talus MB-4H, the first one being TW16H (H610 SUJ).
The 9.8-tonne, 105hp turbocharged four-cylinder Caterpillar 4114-powered Talus MB-4H has hydraulic drive to each wheel and each of the 32 MB-4H tractors are used for working with the Atlantic class lifeboats. The tractors started service in mid 1991, with the final one, TW62H (DX59 HLZ), being supplied in 2009. The MB-4H has a drawbar pull of five-six tonnes and a winch wire pull of five tonnes, via its hydraulic winch.
The development work to develop a suitable vehicle was contracted out to M A Bigland Ltd. (now known as Clayton Engineering Ltd.), who had also converted the County 764 tractors. Development was undertaken at its test facility at Knighton, Powys and the prototype tested at various RNLI stations. The driving seat can face either direction and there is a steering wheel and hand and foot controls for each direction. Maximum wading depth is 1.6m, but if the tractor gets into trouble the hatches can be closed and the tractor recovered at next low tide.
As the tractor is designed to be equally effective in both directions, the ‘front’ pair of tyres are fitted the ‘wrong way’ around, whichever direction the tractor is travelling. The winch is fitted at the cab end, so that when a lifeboat trailer is being recovered, the driver can see the winch cable hook approaching, and watch as the trailer is automatically coupled to the tractor’s towing hitch. Bigland also made the launch trailers on which the lifeboats are mounted.
Bu hikaye Tractor & Machinery dergisinin November 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Tractor & Machinery dergisinin November 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Grenagh Open Day
Once a year, Mike Forde of Grenagh, Co. Cork, opens up his sheds to let the collection of combines and tractors loose upon his barley and the resulting stubble. It's always worth going along to watch, says Justin Roberts.
Emerald Isle's Blue
In September, the crisp rustle of wellies crushing wheat stubble can mean only one thing… it's time for the plough – or at least it was until minimum tillage came along.
Veterans Stun At Feldtag
If you think you have something suitable for this column, please get in touch with Peter Love (tm.ed@kelsey.co.uk)
The Story Of An Engine
It’s a double celebration for fans of blue tractors this year, as not only is it the centenary of Ford tractor production, but also 30 years since one of the company’s most iconic and respected models was launched. Jonathan Whitlam has the first in a four-part story of the 7810.
American Dream
Tom Collins meets a man who was determined to realise his ambition.
A Good-Year For The British Rubber Co
Regular readers may recall the feature on The British Rubber Co. in our February 2017 issue, particularly, comments from Tom Card, the company’s Proprietor, on reproducing vintage tyre patterns in various sizes. In a follow-up to the article, Scott Lambert talks exclusively to Tom about exciting new developments.
New Motor
Time would prove that Leyland’s 285 and 2100 were not without their problems, but fitting a six-cylinder engine was proof that the company was prepared to take the fight to its competitors. Today, these models and their four-wheel drive siblings are icons of the 1970s and prized by collectors. Chris McCullough meets a Leyland enthusiast with a passion for the 2100.
Life By The Sea: Part Three - A New Millennium
The third and final part of the late Donald Bowler’s feature on life boat launching tractors sees him look at the latest technology employed by the RNLI, as well as the machines used at independent life boat stations up and down the country.
Biddenden Tractorfest
Peter Love for horticultural equipment enthusiasts
Classic Harvest
You’ve been sharing your photographs of this year’s harvest with us via e-mail and social media. Here’s a selection of some of our favourites.
