RNLI New Holland TC45 launch tractor

The New Holland TC45 is a four-wheel drive compact tractor, adapted to suit the launch and recovery requirements for some of the RNLI's inflatable inshore lifeboats from beach and shore-based lifeboat stations.

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)

Specification

The RNLI engineering department in Poole worked with the tractor company New Holland to design a small launch tractor for stations which operate D-class inflatable lifeboats. This model features a turning radius of 76°,[1] a requirement on the tight location of some of the RNLI’s smaller stations. The powerful small diesel engine gives out 45 hp (34 kW).[1] The tractor is also undersealed to resist a saline environment. The tractor is also fitted with turf tyres rather than the conventionally fitted agricultural tractor tyres as these work better on sand and grip well on the wooden and concrete slipways that many of these tractors have to negotiate. The specification also complies with DVLA legislation, allowing the tractor to be used on public highways.

Tractor fleet

Op. No.[lower-alpha 1]	In service	Station	Reg No.	Image	Current lifeboat payload
TA 53		Ilfracombe[2]	EX 52 WDT[3]		D-class (IB1) The Deborah Brown II (D-717)
TA 56
TA 57		The Mumbles[4]	WA 03 EZC[5]		D-class (IB1) Peterborough Beer Festival II (D-761)
TA 58		Littlehampton[6]			D-class (IB1) Spirit of Juniper (D-631)
TA 59		St Ives[7]	….53 HBF		D-class (IB1) Colin Bramley Parker (D-668)
TA 61		Anstruther[8]	NK53 OFG		D-class (IB1) The Rotary Centenary Queen (D-667)
TA 69		Achill Island[9]	05 0 721 67		Used to launch the boarding boat for the Trent-class Sam and Ada Moody (ON 1240)
TA 76[10]		Conwy[11]			D-class (IB1) Arthur Bate II (D-627)
TA 87[12]		Penarth[13]			D-class (IB1) Connie Dains (D-692)
TA 110		Moelfre[14]	SF10 FDA		D-class (IB1) Enfys (D-689)

1. 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

1. "New Holland TC45". Tractor specifications for TC45 model. Tractor Data © 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
2. "Ilfracombe Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
3. "Round the clock rescues for Ilfracombe RNLI volunteers". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
4. "Mumbles Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
5. "Round the clock rescues for Mumbles RNLI volunteers". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
6. "Littlehampton Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
7. "St-Ives Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
8. "Anstruther Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
9. "Achill Island Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
10. "TA76 New Holland Tractor". Conwy Lifeboat. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
11. "Conwy Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
12. "Penarth Lifeboat's Sull Island Taxi-service in Action Again". Penarth Daily News. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
13. "Penarth Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
14. "Moelfre Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 1 April 2014.