Talus MB-4H amphibious tractor

{{Infobox tractor

|name = Talus MB-4H

|image = Talus MB-4H TW22-H Sheringham 30 March 2014 (2).JPG

|caption = Talus MB-4H RNLI Launch Vehicle

|manufacturer = Clayton Engineering Limited{{cite web|title=Clayton Engineering Ltd – Home Page|url=http://www.claytonengineering.co.uk/|work=Home Page of Company web-site|publisher=Clayton Engineering Ltd|accessdate=25 March 2014}}

|production =

|length = {{convert|4.475|m|ft|abbr=on}}

|width = {{convert|2.66|m|ft|abbr=on}}

|height = {{convert|2.75|m|ft|abbr=on}}

|weight = 9.38 Tonnes

|propulsion = 4 wheel drive

|type = Launch vehicle

|engine_model = Caterpillar 3114,
4 cylinder, 4.4 litre, Turbo Diesel

|gross_power = {{convert|105|hp|kW|abbr=on|lk=on}}

|drawbar_pull = 5-6 Tonnes

|speed = {{convert|22|mph|km/h}}

}}

Talus MB-4H is a four-wheel-drive launch tractor which was specifically designed for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), to launch and recover inshore lifeboats from beach launched lifeboat stations.{{cite web|title=Talus MB-4H Tractor|url=http://www.claytonengineering.co.uk/equipmentitem/4d78e22f702ba/Talus-MB4H|work=Description and details of the Model|publisher=Clayton Engineering Limited|accessdate=25 March 2014}}

The tractor is produced by the British company of Clayton Engineering Limited who are based in Knighton, Powys.OS Explorer Map 201 - Knighton and Presteigne Tref-y-clawdd a Dyffryn Elan, Author: Ordnance Survey. Publisher: Ordnance Survey. Work: Folded Map. {{ISBN|9780319237588}} The tractor plays an important role within the operations required for saving lives at sea.

Technical specification

The driver can be seated facing forwards or backwards. The tractor has a steering wheel and throttle pedal for each direction, with fully automatic transmission.

The enclosed cab is fully waterproof, and the vehicle can be operated in calm water to a depth of 1.6m.

Two glazed waterproof boxes containing headlights, side and tail lights, indicators and blue flashing lights, are fitted to both ends of the tractor. There are two cab mounted floodlights at the front and rear.{{cite web |title=Talus MB-4H |url=https://www.claytonengineering.co.uk/product-details/4d78e22f702ba/Talus-MB4H |website=Clayton Engineering Ltd |publisher=Clayton Engineering Ltd |access-date=12 April 2024}}

RNLI Talus MB-4H Fleet

class="wikitable"

! Op.No.{{efn|Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the tractor.}}

! Reg No.

! Station

! In service{{cite book |last1=Leonard |first1=Richie |last2=Denton |first2=Tony |title=Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025|date=2025 |publisher=Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society |pages=107–109}}

! Image

! Current Lifeboat Payload

! Comments

TW16Hb
(Mk.1.5)

| H610 SUJ

| {{Lbs|Aberdovey}}
Relief fleet
New Brighton
{{Lbs|Blackpool}}
Relief fleet
{{Lbs|Mablethorpe}}

| 1991–1993
1993–1995
1995–2001
2001–2009
2009–2010
2010–

| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}
Jacqueline Saville (B-887)

TW17Hb
(Mk.1.5)

| H593 PUX

| New Brighton
{{Lbs|Blackpool}}
Relief fleet
{{Lbs|Redcar}}
Relief fleet
Atlantic College
Relief fleet
Training
Relief fleet

| 1990–1995
1996–2001
2001–2003
2003–2010
2010–2011
2011–2013
2013–2014
2014–2018
2018–

Talus MB-4H amphibious tractor

Technical specification

RNLI Talus MB-4H Fleet

See also

References