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 suit 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.[lower-alpha 1]	In service	Station	Reg No.	Image	Current lifeboat payload
TA 53		Ilfracombe[3]	EX 52 WDT[4]		D-class (IB1) The Deborah Brown II (D-717)
TA 56
TA 57		The Mumbles[5]	WA 03 EZC[6]		D-class (IB1) Peterborough Beer Festival II (D-761)
TA 58		Littlehampton[7]			D-class (IB1) Spirit of Juniper (D-631)
TA 59		St Ives[8]	….53 HBF		D-class (IB1) Colin Bramley Parker (D-668)
TA 61		Anstruther[9]	NK53 OFG		D-class (IB1) The Rotary Centenary Queen (D-667)
TA 69		Achill Island[10]	05 0 721 67		Used to launch the boarding boat for the Trent-class Sam and Ada Moody (ON 1240)
TA 76[11]		Conwy[12]			D-class (IB1) Arthur Bate II (D-627)
TA 87[13]		Penarth[14]			D-class (IB1) Connie Dains (D-692)
TA 110		Moelfre[15]	SF10 FDA		D-class (IB1) Enfys (D-689)

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