View source for Talus MB-4H amphibious tractor

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{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<ref name=CELtd>{{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}}</ref> 
|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,<br /> 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.<ref name=TALMB>{{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}}</ref>

The tractor is produced by the [[United Kingdom|British]] company of Clayton Engineering Limited who are based in [[Knighton, Powys|Knighton]], [[Powys]].<ref name=OS201>OS Explorer Map 201 - Knighton and Presteigne Tref-y-clawdd a Dyffryn Elan, Author: Ordnance Survey. Publisher: Ordnance Survey. Work: Folded Map. {{ISBN|9780319237588}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Clayton MB-4H">{{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}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==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<ref name="LBES">{{cite book |last1=Leonard |first1=Richie |last2=Denton |first2=Tony |title=Lifeboat Enthusiasts Handbook 2024|date=2024 |publisher=Lifeboat Enthusiasts Society |pages=93–95}}</ref>
! Image
! Current Lifeboat Payload
! Comments
|-
| TW16Hb<br/>(Mk.1.5)
| H610 SUJ
| {{Lbs|Aberdovey}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>New Brighton<br/>{{Lbs|Blackpool}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Mablethorpe}}
| 1991–1993<br/>1993–1995<br/>1995–2001<br/>2001–2009<br/>2009–2010<br/>2010–
|
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Jacqueline Saville'' (B-887)
|
|-
| TW17Hb<br/>(Mk.1.5)
| H593 PUX
| New Brighton<br/>{{Lbs|Blackpool}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Redcar}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>Atlantic College<br/>Relief fleet<br/>Training<br/>Relief fleet
| 1990–1995<br/>1996–2001<br/>2001–2003<br/>2003–2010<br/>2010–2011<br/>2011–2013<br/>2013–2014<br/>2014–2018<br/>2018–
| [[File:Redcar lifeboat launch. - geograph.org.uk - 892853.jpg|100px]]
| 
| <ref name=TW17H>{{cite web|title=RNLI stations West Wales and Southwest England – Talus Launch Tractor|url=http://www.irishlifeboats.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=181068278|work=Photograph of TW17H at Atlantic College|publisher=© 2009-2014 Irish Lifeboats|accessdate=30 March 2014}}</ref>
|-
| TW18Hb<br/>(Mk.1.5)
| H710 RUX
| {{Lbs|Cullercoats}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Redcar}}<br/>{{Lbs|Flamborough}}<br/>{{Lbs|Hunstanton}}<br/>{{Lbs|Clacton-on-Sea}}
| 1991–1993<br/>1993–1995<br/>1995–2003<br/>2003–2012<br/>2013–2021<br/>2021–
| [[File:Flamborough MB-4H (TW-18H).jpg|100px]]
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''David Porter MPS'' (B-863)
|
|-
| TW19Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| J120 VNT
| {{Lbs|Redcar}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Newbiggin}}<br/>{{Lbs|Hunstanton}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Rye Harbour}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Aberystwyth}}
| 1991–1995<br/>1995–1998<br/>1998–1999<br/>1999–2000<br/>2000–2006<br/>2006–2010<br/>2010–2014<br/>2014–
| 
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Florence and Ernest Bowles'' (B-937)
|
|-
| TW20Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| J125 WUJ
| {{Lbs|Hunstanton}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Newbiggin}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>New Brighton
| 1992–1999<br/>1999–2003<br/>2003–2014<br/>2014–2016<br/>2016–
| [[File:TW-20H Launch Tractor.jpg|100px]]
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>[[Civil Service lifeboats|''Charles Dibdin<br/>(Civil Service No.51)'' (B-837)]]
| <ref name=HUNLIFE>Hunstanton Lifeboats. Author: Leach, Nicholas. Publisher:Tempus Publishing, First edition,2008. Works: Page 63, Reference to the arrival of the new Talus (TW20H0) on station in 1992. ISBN 9 780752 447490</ref>
|-
| TW21Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| J495 XUJ
| {{Lbs|Newbiggin}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Cullercoats}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Littlestone-on-Sea}}<br/>Relief fleet
| 1992–2003<br/>2003–2004<br/>2004–2017<br/>2017<br/>2017–2023<br/>2023–
| 
| 
| <ref name=CULLER>{{cite web|title=Cullercoats Lifeboat Station – RNLI website |url= http://rnli.org/findmynearest/station/Pages/Cullercoats-Lifeboat-Station.aspx|work=Home page of the Cullercoats station|publisher=RNLI © 2014| accessdate=28 March 2014}}</ref>
|-
| TW22Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| K501 AUX
| {{Lbs|Cullercoats}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Sheringham}}<br/>{{Lbs|Newbiggin}}
| 1993–2004<br/>2004–2005<br/>2005–2015<br/>2015–
| [[File:Sheringham Lifeboat The Oddfellows 5 January 2014 (2).JPG|100px]]
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Richard Wake Burdon'' (B-864)
|
|-
| TW23Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| K805 CUX 
| {{Lbs|Flamborough}}<br/>{{Lbs|Hunstanton}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Whitstable}}
| 1993–2003<br/>2003–2013<br/>2013–2014<br/>2014–
| 
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Lewisco'' (B-877)
|
|-
| TW24Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| K313 ENT<br/>{{nowrap|93-D-45502}}
| {{Lbs|Sheringham}}<br/>{{Lbs|Bundoran}}
| {{nowrap|1994–2005}}<br/>2005–
| [[File:Talus MB-4H (TW 46H) Sheringham.jpg|100px]]
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''William Henry Liddington'' (B-834)
| <ref name=SHLIFE>Sheringham Lifeboats: By Leach, Nicholas and Russell, Paul :Published by landmark Pub Ltd, 2009.Work: Page 85, reference to the arrival of TW24H in 1994. {{ISBN|978-1-84306-473-2}}</ref><ref name=LOUSWLY>{{cite web|title=Bundoran|url=http://www.irishlifeboats.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=133240310|work=Photograph of TW24H in the boathouse at Bundoran|publisher=© 2009-2014 Irish Lifeboats|accessdate=30 March 2014}}</ref>
|-
| TW25Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| L807 KNT
| {{Lbs|Bundoran}}<br/>{{Lbs|Newquay}}<br/>{{Lbs|Happisburgh}}<br/>Relief fleet
| 1994–2005<br/>2006–2017<br/>2018–2023<br/>2023–
| [[File:-2020-12-20 Talus MB-4H TW25-H sea tractor, Happisburgh Lifeboat Station.JPG|100px]]
| 
|
|-
| TW26Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| M423 OAW
| {{Lbs|Newquay}}<br/>{{Lbs|Penarth}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Blackpool}}
| 1995–2006<br/>2006–2021<br/>2021–2022<br/>2022–
|
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''William and Eleanor'' (B-867)
| 
|-
| TW27Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| M741 RUX
| {{Lbs|Penarth}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Porthcawl}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Sheringham}}
| 1996–2006<br/>2006–2008<br/>2008–2015<br/>2015–2022<br/>2022–
| 
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>{{RNLB|The Oddfellows|B-818|3}}
| <ref name=TW42>{{cite web|title= RNLI stations West Wales and Southwest England – Talus Launch Tractor|url=http://www.irishlifeboats.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=181068275|work=Photograph of TW27H|publisher=© 2009-2014 Irish Lifeboats|accessdate=30 March 2014}}</ref>
|-
| TW28H<br/>(Mk.3)
| N671 UAW
| {{Lbs|Rye Harbour}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Aberystwyth}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>Trials
| 1996–2006<br/>2006–2013<br/>2013–2014<br/>2014–2019<br/>2019–
|
|
| 
|-
| TW29Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| N144 WUJ
| {{Lbs|Porthcawl}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Happisburgh}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Porthcawl}}
| 1996–2008<br/>2008–2009<br/>2009–2012<br/>2012–2015<br/>2015–
| [[File:Crewtractor small.jpg|100px]]
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Rose Of The Shires'' (B-832)
|
|-
| TW36Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| N805 XUJ
| Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Criccieth}}<br/>Training(Instow)<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Happisburgh}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Looe}}<br/>
| 1996–1997<br/>1997–2003<br/>2003–2007<br/>2007–2012<br/>2012–2017<br/>2018–2019<br/>2019–
| [[File:Sea tractor (4479472074).jpg|100px]]
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Sheila & Dennis Tongue II'' (B-894)
|
|-
| TW37Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| P898 CUX
| Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Hunstanton}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Littlestone-on-Sea}}<br/>{{Lbs|Sheringham}}<br/>{{Lbs|Newquay}}
| 1996–2000<br/>2000–2003<br/>2003–2008<br/>2008–2015<br/>2015–2017<br/>2017–
| [[File:Lifeboat tractor - geograph.org.uk - 4614375.jpg|100px]]
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Uncle Johnny'' (B-936)
|
|-
| TW45Ha<br/>(Mk.1)
| T249 JNT
| {{Lbs|Littlestone-on-Sea}}<br/>New Brighton<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Cardigan}}
| 1999–2008<br/>2008–2016<br/>2016–2023<br/>2023–
| [[File:RNLI tractor and lifeboat, New Brighton (geograph 4549784).jpg|100px]]
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''John Darbyshire'' (D-845)
| <ref name="NEWBRI">{{cite web|title=New Brighton Lifeboat Station - RNLI|url=http://rnli.org/findmynearest/station/Pages/New-Brighton-Lifeboat-Station.aspx|work=RNLI - Station Website – History – Reference to new tractor and lifeboat|publisher=RNLI|accessdate=26 March 2014}}</ref>
|-
| TW46Hb<br/>(Mk.1.5)
| V938 EAW
| New Brighton<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Aberystwyth}}<br/>{{Lbs|Rye Harbour}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Sheringham}}<br/>{{Lbs|Flamborough}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>
| 2001–2008<br/>2008–2009<br/>2009–2013<br/>2013–2014<br/>2014–2017<br/>2017–2022<br/>2022–2023<br/>2023–
| [[File:Submersible tractor - Aberystwyth - geograph.org.uk - 1741092.jpg|100px]]
| 
|
|-
| TW49Hb<br/>(Mk.1.5)
| W652 RNT
| {{Lbs|Whitstable}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|St Bees}}
| 2000–2008<br/>2008–2010<br/>2010–
| [[File:Talus_MB-4H_(TW_49H).jpg|100px]] 
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Joy Morris MBE'' (B-831)
|
|-
| TW50Hb<br/>(Mk.1.5)
| W419 UUJ
| {{Lbs|St Bees}}<br/>{{Lbs|Redcar}}
| 2000–2010<br/>2010–
|
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Leicester Challenge III'' (B-858)
| 
|-
| TW51Hb<br/>(Mk.1.5)
| X651 BUJ
| {{Lbs|Mablethorpe}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Cardigan}}<br/>Relief fleet
| 2001–2010<br/>2010–2011<br/>2011–2023<br/>2023–
| [[File:Tractor at Poppit Sands RNLI station.jpg|100px]]
| 
|
|-
| TW52Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| Y506 JNT
| {{Lbs|Cardigan}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Flamborough}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Flamborough}}
| 2002–2011<br/>2011–2012<br/>2012–2022<br/>2022–2023<br/>2023–
| [[File:Launch of the lifeboat - geograph.org.uk - 702336.jpg|100px]]
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Elizabeth Jane Palmer'' (B-820)
|
|-
| TW53Hb<br/>(Mk.1.5)
| DU51 FET
| {{Lbs|Atlantic College}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{nowrap|{{Lbs|Staithes and Runswick}}}}
| 2002–2011<br/>2011–2012<br/>2012–
| [[File:Staithes RNLI Submersible Tractor waiting for the return of the Inshore Lifeboat - geograph.org.uk - 4081326.jpg|100px]]
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>{{nowrap|''Sheila & Dennis Tongue III'' (B-897)}}
|
|-
| TW54Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| DU02 WEJ
| {{Lbs|Aberystwyth}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Staithes and Runswick}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Rye Harbour}}<br/>Relief fleet
| 2002–2009<br/>2009–2011<br/>2011–2012<br/>2012–2014<br/>2014–2020<br/>2020–2017<br/>
| [[File:Rye Harbour (15260914734).jpg|100px]]
| 
|
|-
| TW55Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| DU52 XGA
| {{Lbs|Staithes and Runswick}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Burnham-on-Sea}}
| 2003–2011<br/>2011–2017<br/>2017–
|
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Doris Day and Brian'' (B-914)
| <ref name=STAITH>{{cite web|title=Staithes and Runswick Lifeboat Station – RNLI website |url= http://rnli.org/findmynearest/station/Pages/Staithes-and-Runswick-Lifeboat-Station.aspx|work=Home page of the Staithes and Runswick station|publisher=RNLI © 2014| accessdate=30 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=TW55H>{{cite web|title=Staithes Town - Staithes Inshore Lifeboat Equipment|url=http://www.staithes-town.info/rnli/equipment.asp|work=Photos of the Talus MB-4H (TW55H)|publisher=RNLI © 2014| accessdate=28 March 2014}}</ref>
|-
| TW56Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| DY52 EFR
| {{Lbs|Burnham-on-Sea}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Rye Harbour}}
| 2003–2017<br/>2017–2020<br/>2020–
| [[File:Burnham-on Sea Talus MB-4H.jpg|100px]]
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Hello Herbie II'' (B-900)
| 
|-
| TW57Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| DX03 UZF
| {{Lbs|Looe}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Hunstanton}}
| 2003–2019<br/>2019–2021<br/>2021–
|
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Spirit of West Norfolk'' (B-848)
|
|-
| TW58Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| DX53 VRF
| {{Lbs|Criccieth}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Littlestone-on-Sea}}<br/>Relief fleet
| 2003–2013<br/>2013–2015<br/>2015–2017<br/>2018–
| [[File:Bad Achub Newydd Criccieth New Inshore Rescue Boat - geograph.org.uk - 610749.jpg|100px]]
| 
|
|-
| TW59Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| DU04 DVW
| Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Whitstable}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Newbiggin}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Cullercoats}}
| 2004–2008<br/>2008–2014<br/>2014<br/>2014–2015<br/>2015–2017<br/>2017
|
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Daddy's Girl'' (B-935)
|
|-
| TW60Hc<br/>(Mk.2)
| DX54 UYM
| {{Lbs|Clacton-on-Sea}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Penarth}}
| 2006–2021<br/>2021<br/>2021–
|
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Maureen Lilian'' (B-839)
|
|-
| TW61Hb<br/>(Mk.1.5)
| DX09 LRZ
| {{Lbs|Blackpool}}<br/>Relief fleet<br/>{{Lbs|Littlestone-on-Sea}}
| 2009–2022<br/>2022–2024<br/>2024–
| [[File:Blackpool Talus MB-4 (TW61H).jpg|100px]]
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>''Jean McIvor'' (B-922)
| 
|-
| TW62Hb<br/>(Mk.1.5)
| DX59 LHZ
| {{Lbs|Rye Harbour}}<br/>{{Lbs|Criccieth}}
| 2010–2013<br/>2013–
|
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>Frank Townley (B-938)
|
|-
| TW65H<br/>(Mk.3)
| HF24 BWO
| {{Lbs|Margate}}
| 2024–
|
| {{Lbb|Atlantic 85}}<br/>Colonel Stock (B930)
|
|-
| TW66H<br/>(Mk.3)
|
| 
| 
|
|
|
|-
|}
{{notelist}}

== See also ==
* [[Fowler Challenger III amphibious tractor|Fowler Challenger III]] launch tractor
* [[RNLI New Holland TC45 launch tractor|New Holland TC45]] launch tractor
* [[Talus MB-764 amphibious tractor|Talus MB-764]] launch tractor
* [[Talus MB-H amphibious tractor|Talus MB-H]] launch tractor
* [[Talus Atlantic 85 DO-DO launch carriage]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Talus MB-4H tractors}}

[[Category:Royal National Lifeboat Institution launch vehicles]]
[[Category:Sea-going tractors]]
[[Category:Tractors]]
[[Category:Rescue equipment]]