Talus MB-H amphibious tractor

Talus MB-H
Talus MB-H RNLI launch vehicle
Type	Launch vehicle
Manufacturer	Clayton Engineering Limited
Length	216 in (5.5 m)
Width	96 in (2.4 m)
Height	117 in (3.0 m)
Weight	19.000 tonnes with track pads
Propulsion	tracks
Engine model	Caterpillar 3208 V8 Diesel
Gross power	210 hp (160 kW)
Drawbar pull	15 tonnes (18 tonnes max.) on bare drum
Speed	7.5 miles (12.1 km)

Talus MB-H is a continuous track launch tractor which was specifically designed for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), to launch and recover lifeboats from beach-launched lifeboat stations. The tractor is produced by the British company of Clayton Engineering Limited who are based in Knighton, Powys. The tractor plays a role and is a link within the operations required to be carry out the task of saving lives at sea.

The tractor is now largely being discontinued because the RNLI have now replaced the Mersey class all-weather lifeboat with the new Shannon Class Lifeboat which uses the new Launch and Recovery System from Supacat.

This amphibious tractor has been designed to launch carriage-launched lifeboats such as the Mersey-class all-weather lifeboat. The tractor can deploy its pay-load in to a sufficient depth of water to ensure a safe launching of the lifeboat. For recovery the lifeboat is winched from shallow water back onto its carriage allowing the tractor to haul the carriage back across the beach to its boathouse.

The vehicle has been designed to work over varying beach environments and can easily launch and recover lifeboats of up to 15 tonnes in weight. It will comfortably work at full power into up to 2.44 metres (8.0 ft) of calm water. The 3208 V8 Caterpillar diesel engine will generate power simultaneously for drive and for winching during its launch and recovery procedure. Control of the vehicle is achieved using a single joystick controller which controls the hydraulic transmission functions and has the added safety feature of a dead man pedal.

The tractor has a fully enclosed, waterproof, protective cockpit and has duplicated controls front and back for use when facing in either direction. In the event of the tractor becoming inoperable whilst in the water, it can be battened down and left on the sea bed in up to a depth of 9.0 metres (29.5 ft) without the entry of sea water. The tractor has been designed with extensive corrosion protection to protect from the very aggressive working environment of the sea water and beach conditions the tractor has to endure.