Clayton RNLI tractor

Following the end of World War I, the RNLI turned its attention to making it easier to launch shore based lifeboats. The use of horses for farming was in decline, and it was becoming increasingly difficult, and more costly, to find a team of horses and men to help launch the lifeboat, causing unacceptable delays.^[2]

At a meeting of the RNLI committee of management in January 1920, it was decided to trial a caterpillar tractor, of a type which had proven itself during World War I. Taking advice from Mr F. A. Standen of St Ives, Cambridgeshire, a name now synonymous with agricultural machinery, a 35-hp Clayton Chain-rail tractor was chosen for evaluation.^[2]

Five days of trials commenced on Friday 26 March 1920, taking place at Hunstanton, where a variety of type of beach could be found. The tractor performed above all expectations on the first day. On day two, the tractor had no problems towing a 7-ton 3-cwt load, in the form of a 35 ft (11 m) lifeboat and carriage, at its top speed of 6 mph (9.7 km/h), over the sandy beach. However, difficulties were encountered on day three whilst attempting to traverse the sand dunes, resolved following the fitting of six "spuds" (grouser) to each of the tracks.^[2]

Things didn't quite go to plan on day four, as the 'un-marinised' tractor unit became waterlogged, after the flywheel covered the engine in seawater, during an attempted launch. As the tide receded some hours later, the tractor was drawn to higher ground by some 70–80 people, where repairs took place. Tractors would be made "seaworthy" with only a few modifications, the magneto and carburettor enclosed in a water-tight compartment, water-tight spark-plug terminals, a splash guard for the flywheel, and the exhaust pipe protruding the bonnet.^[2]

Final day trials took place at on the shingle shore at Heacham, proving the expected result that the unit was not suited to such terrain, requiring further investigation for a tractor suited to those conditions and stations.^[2]

Following these "successful" trials, the RNLI placed an order for 20 tractors with Clayton & Shuttleworth. The first tractor (T1) was trialled on 23 February 1921 at St Ives; The now waterproof plug terminals giving no problems, and tests in the River Ouse successfully submerged the magneto box to a depth of 4 ft (1.2 m).^[3]

A second unit (T2), fitted with tracks with rubber pads, was easily drawn across London from the Poplar storage facility to the RNLI Annual General Meeting at Central Hall, Westminster, where it was inspected by the then Prince of Wales. However, later trials at Hoylake still proved unsatisfactory, prompting further development work on track design.^[3]

On 11 February 1923, the Donna Nook lifeboat was launched twice, to the steam trawler Dinorah. It was estimated that the use of the tractor saved at least three hours of launch time. Just 15 days later, the Bridlington lifeboat was drawn 1.5 mi (2.4 km) along the shore by the tractor, when the water in the harbour was too low to launch.^[4]

Just 18 Clayton tractors were completed for the RNLI. The company of Clayton & Shuttleworth failed in 1928, being taken over by Marshall, Sons & Co. of Gainsborough. However, no further orders were placed. In 1927, the RNLI had placed an order for the next four tractors, a much more powerful unit, with the Four Wheel Drive Lorry Company (FWD) of Slough.^[1]

At this time, no examples of the Clayton RNLI tractor are known to survive.

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