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 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.
Specification[edit]
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. The powerful small diesel engine gives out 45 hp (34 kW).[1] The tractor is undersealed to resist a saline environment. The tractor is fitted with turf tyres, which function better on sand, as well as wooden and concrete slipways. The specification complies with DVLA legislation, allowing the tractor to be used on public highways.
Tractor fleet[edit]
| Op.No.[a] | Reg No. | Station | In service[2] | Image | Current lifeboat payload | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TA53 (TC45D) |
EX52 WDT | Happisburgh Relief fleet Ilfracombe Swanage |
2002–2009 2009–2011 2011–2014 2014–2017 |
[3] | ||
| TA56 (TC45D) |
WA03 EZB | Horton and Port Eynon Happisburgh Relief fleet |
2002–2009 2009–2022 2022– |
|||
| TA57 (TC45D) |
WA03 EZC | The Mumbles | 2003–2014 | [4] | ||
| TA58 (TC45D) |
WA03 EYZ | Littlehampton Relief fleet Appledore |
2003–2017 2017–2022 2022– |
D-class (IB1) Eileen Mary George (D-729/BB) |
||
| TA59 (TC45D) |
WA03 HBF | St Ives Penwith ASC St Ives Relief fleet |
2003–2011 2011–2013 2013–2014 2014–2015 |
|||
| TA61 (TC45D) |
NK53 DFJ | Anstruther Relief fleet |
2003–2020 2000–2023 |
|||
| TA64 (TC45D) |
04-WD-1859 | Tramore Relief fleet Training |
2004–2010 2010–2014 2014–2015 |
|||
| TA65 (TC45S) |
NK54 EYT | Craster Relief fleet Bembridge |
2005–2010 2010–2011 2011–2014 |
|||
| TA68 (TC45D) |
WA04 VYM | Trearddur Bay | 2005–2022 | |||
| TA69 (TC45DA) |
05-D-72167 | Achill Island | 2005– | Used to launch the boarding boat for the Trent-class Sam and Ada Moody (ON 1240) | [5] | |
| TA70 (TC45D) |
05-D-72163 | Aran Islands Relief fleet Clogherhead Fenit |
2006–2006 2006–2013 2013–2019 2019– |
D-class (IB1) Lizzie (D-860) |
||
| TA71 (TC45D) |
SN55 HNU | Aran Islands | 2005–2023 | |||
| TA72 (TC45D) |
SN55 HNV | Sunderland Relief fleet Craster Relief fleet Port Talbot |
2005–2009 2009–2010 2010–2013 2013–2015 2015–2016 |
|||
| TA73 (TC45D) |
JJZ 9544 | Newcastle Relief fleet Moelfre Relief fleet Port Talbot |
2005–2012 2012–2013 2013–2014 2014–2016 2016–2023 |
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|
||
| TA74 (TC45DA) |
EU56 HDO | Clacton-on-Sea | 2006– | D-class (IB1) Damar's Pride (D-849) |
||
| TA81 (TC45DA) |
EU57 RWX | Cromer Relief fleet Conwy |
2008–2015 2015–2021 2021– |
D-class (IB1) The May-Bob (D-765) |
||
| TA82 (TC45DA) |
SF08 UAG | Ilfracombe Horton and Port Eynon Relief fleet Cromer Relief fleet |
2008–2009 2009–2014 2014–2015 2015–2018 2018– |
- ^ Op. No. is the RNLI's Operational Number of the tractor.
See also[edit]
- Talus MB-4H Launch tractor
- Talus MB-H Launch tractor
- Talus MB-764 Launch tractor
- Talus Atlantic 85 DO-DO launch carriage
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f "New Holland TC45". Tractor specifications for TC45 model. Tractor Data © 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ Leonard, Richie; Denton, Tony (2024). Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024. Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society. pp. 96–97.
- ^ "Round the clock rescues for Ilfracombe RNLI volunteers". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ^ "Round the clock rescues for Mumbles RNLI volunteers". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ^ "Achill Island Lifeboat Station". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 28 March 2014.