A NEW PROTOTYPE launching tractor was placed on extended evaluation trials at Ffoylake lifeboat station on Tuesday April 12, 1983. This new tractor has been developed jointly by the Institution and M. A. Bigland (Preparations) Limited of Knighton, Powys.

Unlike previous lifeboat tractors which have been adapted from commercial bulldozers, the new tractor has been specifically designed for the arduous task of launching carriage lifeboats.

It was necessary to design this machine because it was found that commercial designs were becoming more difficult and costly to adapt and could not meet the RNLI requirements, particularly with regard to ground clearance, track width and waterproofing.

The new tractor is driven by a diesel hydraulic system using a 200hp Caterpillar 3208 NA engine similar to that installed in 33ft Brede and some 44ft Waveney class lifeboats. It has a totally enclosed cab for the driver and his assistant and is fully waterproof and capable of operating at greater depth than existing tractors. A hydraulically driven winch is fitted which carries 300ft of cable and has a pull of 15 tons.

Around the cab area and over the winch a grating is fitted protected by handrails which should greatly help the shore crew during initial recovery operations.

Two quartz iodine headlights are fitted at each end in glazed waterproof boxes which also contain side and tail lights, turn indicators and blue flashing lights.

In addition an extra two quartz iodine floodlights are mounted at each end of the cab roof.

Because the tractor has been specially designed it has been possible to build in a very efficient air cooling system for use on the beach; when the tractor enters the water a pair of protected keel coolers take over automatically. A great deal of thought has been given to ease of control by the driver. The driving seat can face either way and directional control is by a simple 'joystick' which is pushed in the direction of travel required. The power to the joystick is controlled by a 'deadman's pedal' which is the only control necessary for travel other than engine speed.

The winch is controlled by a simple haul/stop/payout lever again protected by a 'deadman's pedal'.

The new tractor is capable of a speed of 9 mph which is a 50 per cent increase on existing machines. A draw bar pull of 40,000 Ibs has been attained. It is 18ft long, 9ft 6in high and 7ft Sin wide using 20in track plates, but provision has been made to fit up to 24in track plates if beach conditions require. This would increase the width to 8ft. The tractor weighs 17 tons in full working order.

Before starting extended evaluation trials at Hoylake the new tractor, which has been allocated the number T91, was demonstrated in partially finished form at Hoylake, Rhyl, Pwllheli, Dungeness and Hastings lifeboat stations. It was well received at all five locations and several useful suggestions from these stations have been incorporated in the final design.—S.E..