Talus MB-H amphibious tractor
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox tractor
|name = Talus MB-H
|image = RNLI tractor, Hoylake.JPG
|caption = Talus MB-H RNLI launch vehicle
|manufacturer = Clayton Engineering Limited
|production = 31
|length ={{convert|216|in|m|abbr=on}}
| width ={{convert|96|in|m|abbr=on}}
| height ={{convert|117|in|m|abbr=on}}
| weight = 19.000 tonnes with track pads
| propulsion = tracks
| type = Launch vehicle
| engine_model = Caterpillar 3208 V8 Diesel
| gross_power = {{convert|210|hp|kW|abbr=on|lk=on}}
| drawbar_pull = 15 tonnes (18 tonnes max.) on bare drum
| speed = {{convert|7.5|mph|km/h}}
}}
Talus MB-H is a continuous track launch tractor which was specifically designed for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), to launch and recover carriage mounted lifeboats, particularly the {{Lbc|Mersey}} lifeboat, from beach-launched lifeboat stations.{{cite web|title=Talus MBH Tractor|url=http://www.claytonengineering.co.uk/equipmentitem/4d78d64aeeeb8/Talus-MBH|work=Description and details of the Model|publisher=Clayton Engineering Limited|accessdate=24 March 2014}} In total, 31 tractors were manufactured by Clayton Engineering Limited of 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}}
As of October 2024 only three {{Lbc|Mersey}} lifeboats remain in service with the RNLI, and of those, only two, {{Lbs|Aldeburgh}} and {{Lbs|Newcastle}}, are carriage launched, with the aid of the Talus MB-H.
The Mersey-class is being replaced mostly with the new {{Lbc|Shannon}} All-weather lifeboat, which uses the new Shannon Launch and Recovery System (SLARS) from Supacat and Clayton Engineering, or in some locations, with a {{Lbc|B|Atlantic 85}} Inshore lifeboat.
Some of the surplus Talus MB-H tractors will be transferred for use at stations using the Inshore Atlantic 85, with a few retained in the relief fleet, whilst the rest are likely to be sold out of service. The following list will include those tractors now in use with Independent rescue services where known.
The information is correct with reference to the Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025 unless noted otherwise,{{cite book |last1=Leonard |first1=Richie |last2=Denton |first2=Tony |title=Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2025 |date=2025 |publisher=Lifeboats Enthusiasts Society |pages=107-109}}.
Talus MB-H fleet
| class="wikitable"
! Op.No.{{efn|name=Op|Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the boat or vehicle carried on the hull.}} ! Reg No. ! Station ! Image ! Current lifeboat pay-load ! Comments |
| T91
| UAW 558Y | Trials | {{nowrap|1982–1983}} | 100px | |
| T92
| A462 AUX | {{Lbs|Rhyl}} | 1984–1997 | | | |
| T93
| A496 CUX | {{Lbs|Skegness}} | 1984–1995 | | |
| T94
| B567 FAW | Relief fleet | 1984–1986 | 100px | {{Lbc|B|Atlantic 85}} | |
| T95
| B188 GAW | {{Lbs|Hastings}} | 1985 | 100px | |
| T96
| B668 HUJ | {{Lbs|Hastings}} | 1985–1997 | 100px | {{Lbc|B|Atlantic 75}} |
| T97
| C282 LNT | {{Lbs|North Sunderland}} | 1986–1998 | | {{Lbc|B|Atlantic 85}} | |
| T98
| C168 NAW | {{Lbs|Sheringham}} | 1986–1992 | | | |
| T99
| C82 NUX | {{Lbs|Wells-next-the-Sea}} | 1986–1993 | 100px | | |
| T100
| D446 RAW | {{Lbs|Bridlington}} | 1986–1998 | 100px | | |
| T101
| D335 SUJ | {{Lbs|Ilfracombe}} | 1987–1998 | | {{Lbc|B|Atlantic 85}} |
| T102
| E387 VAW | {{Lbs|Llandudno}} | 1987–1999 | | {{Lbc|Atlantic 85}} | |
| T103
| E589 WAW | {{Lbs|Pwllheli}} | 1987–2001 | | | |
| T104
| E269 YUJ | {{Lbs|Newcastle}} | 1988–1999 | 100px | {{Lbc|B|Atlantic 85}} | |
| T105
| E837 XNT | {{Lbs|Clogherhead}} | 1988–2001 | 100px | |
| T106
| F760 BUJ | {{Lbs|Scarborough}} | 1988–2001 | 100px | MST Rescue 900 (9m RIB) |
| T107
| F415 EAW | {{Lbs|Kilmore Quay}} | 1989–2001 | | | |
| T108
| F133 FUJ | {{Lbs|St Ives}} | 1989–1997 | 100px | |
| T109
| G296 KUX | {{Lbs|Filey}} | 1990–2003 | | | |
| T110
| G751 MNT | {{Lbs|Ramsey}} | 1990–2002 | | |
| T111
| H926 PUJ | {{Lbs|Margate}} | 1991–2003 | 100px | Alicat 5m RIB |
| T112
| H977 SNT | {{Lbs|Anstruther}} | 1991–2003 | | Ribcraft 6.4m-Professional RIB | |
| T113
| J794 VUX | {{Lbs|New Quay}} | 1992–2001 | | | |
| T114
| 1222 MN | {{Lbs|Peel}} | 1992–2004 | 100px | |
| T115
| K499 AUX | Relief fleet | 1993–2005 | 100px | |Sold - Currently in Aldeburgh launching Fishing Vessels.{{Cite web |last=Geko Nautic |title=Aldeburgh Post |url=https://www.facebook.com/GeckoNautiq/posts/661194766474518}} |
| T116
| K920 DUJ | {{Lbs|Aldeburgh}} | 1993–2005 | | {{Lbc|B|Atlantic 75}} | |
| T117
| L784 JNT | Relief fleet | 1994–1995 | 100px | | |
| T118
| M224 SNT | {{Lbs|St Ives}} | 1997–2006 | 100px | Ribcraft 8.0 Lifeboat | |
| T119
| N470 XAW | {{Lbs|Newcastle}} | 1999–2006 | 100px | {{Lbc|B|Atlantic 85}} |
| T120
| P514 HAW | {{Lbs|Lytham}} | 1999–2001 | | {{Lbc|Mersey}} | |
| T121
| DX04 YZG | {{Lbs|Barmouth}} | 1992–2019 | 100px | | |
{{notelist}}
See also
- Fowler Challenger III launch tractor
- New Holland TC45 launch tractor
- Talus MB-764 launch tractor
- Talus MB-4H launch tractor
- Talus Atlantic 85 DO-DO launch carriage
Notes
{{Reflist|group=Sold}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
{{Commons category|Talus tractors}}
Category:Royal National Lifeboat Institution launch vehicles