Up to yer nuts in it thread

[GardenKit]

A few old pics from when I 'tested' the Lifeboat launch tractor I designed back in 1997.

 

 

 

 

[Steve Bullman]

And is the design in production?

[GardenKit]

Yes Steve, it was a one off for the local inshore lifeboat, to launch a 21ft rib straight off the steep pebble beach.

I made it capable of being totally submerged and left until the tide dropped in the event of a breakdown. I tested it immediately after the drive round test in the photos by driving it completely under then shutting down the exhaust with a valve. The inlet shut off automatically with a double ball float valve.

Then came a nerve racking 6 hour wait for the tide to drop to see if we could restart it, which we did according to plan. Only then did they hand over the cheque for £35K.

I then joined the 'crew' to train tractor drivers in the fine art of driving into Force 6 seas and 10ft waves, then moved on to coxing the boat and being recovered by those I had trained.

 

The tractor survived nearly 8years before rust took its tole and it was replaced with a similar unit, although by that time I was out of Ag engineering and into smaller stuff.

[GardenKit]

The boat with me at the helm circa 2002. They were good days.

[Steve Bullman]

Nice thing to put your name to Barrie, well done

[GardenKit]

Thanks Steve, servicing mowers and selling Aspen is a bit mundane after those days.

Nostalgia is best forgotten.

[roys]

That is a cracking pic from 2002

[Stihl123]

Easter Friday!......... any disco would of got through no problem!

[Lowestoft Firewood]

Easter Friday!......... any disco would of got through no problem!

 

From someone who drives an Astra van

[openspaceman]

A few old pics from when I 'tested' the Lifeboat launch tractor I designed back in 1997.

 

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I'm impressed, did the battery stay in whilst submerged?