The RNLI Softrak has been developed in close partnership with the RNLI to an exacting specification. It must to be able to launch and recover a D Class ILB or an Atlantic ILB at all states of tide on its ‘Drive on Drive off’ trolley. It had to be suitable for operating in extremely soft ground conditions such as estuary mud, soft sand, and shingle or with the addition of suitable ballast, able to operate on wet clay conditions. The capability of wading to a depth of 1m and to be able to withstand momentary swamping by wave action (1M peak to peak) from the front or rear without the engine stalling or the cab glass cracking or shattering was paramount.

To minimise corrosion the RNLI Softrak chassis, undercarriage, body and cab are shot blasted to SA2.5, followed by acid pickling and hot dip galvanising to BS EN1461. All fasteners and hydraulic fittings are Grade A4 stainless steel. Stainless steel shafts, seal carriers and cast iron mechanical face seals are fitted on track rollers and idlers, and mechanical shaft seals on the track motors.

 

Fitted with the 600mm wide Bridgestone Rubber Tracks the RNLI SOFTRAK is able to traverse steep slopes and cross very soft ground with ease with minimal damage to sensitive environments or highway surfaces. The rubber track has been designed with flexible edges so that it can deflect over obstacles and not cut into soft ground whilst travelling or manoeuvring, unlike rigid track systems and with floating bogies a smooth ride can be achieved over rough ground.

The track bodies are constructed in high tensile steels and are mounted on transverse cross tubes to allow the track width of the machine to be easily varied for different applications and tracks. The fully floating bogies are rubber mounted for vibration isolation and maintenance free operation. The heavy-duty idler rollers are fully sealed with mechanical face seals (as found on Caterpillar excavators) to give unrivalled reliability and maintenance free operation in all conditions. Tensioning of the rubber track is by grease filled rams and can be easily adjusted with the supplied grease gun.

The powder coated, three-man cab comes with tinted glass, full height doors and opening side windows, polycarbonate front and rear screens and sound proofing as standard. The full heating and ventilation system ensures stress free operation in all weathers. The cab can be tipped forward hydraulically to allow easy access to the engine and transmission for service. The cab is fitted as standard with a heavy-duty suspension seat and lap belt for the driver and two fixed seats and belts for passengers

The hydraulically tipped lightweight platform incorporates 8 solid slat, seats with grab handles, a corrosion proof, easy clean, non slip floor with space for a stretcher and a rear fold-down access ladder. A galvanised rear grill is incorporated in the rear of the floor to aid visibility of the rear tow hitch when coupling up trailers etc. Four, high capacity, galvanised mesh lockers with hinged doors are located beneath the seats for secure storage of loose equipment.

The 67hp turbo diesel engine is installed in a water resistant engine bay with an automatic drain and the remote, high level, engine cooling system mounted in a stainless steel duct combined with high level air intake and exhaust means the RNLI Softrak can operate in heavy seas without swamping the engine. The engine is fitted with a hydraulic starting system to ensure reliable starting in all conditions. High pressure oil is stored in a gas filled accumulator which supplies oil to the starter motor via a foot operated valve. The accumulator is normally recharged by the hydraulic system but a hand pump provides a manual backup if required. This stored high-pressure oil is also used to enable the cab or body to be hydraulically tipped and the brakes released even with the engine stopped.

The servo control hydrostatic transmission system gives step-less speed control with full automatic braking. The two speed track motors allow high tractive effort and reduced speed for when climbing steep slopes or carrying heavy loads and the option of high speed for rapid transit when conditions allow.

The patented single joystick control is unique to Loglogic and allows exceptionally smooth control of all the transmission functions from contra-rotation on the spot at low speed to wide sweeping curves at high speed all at the touch of a lever. As a safety feature the joystick will automatically return to the neutral position on release bringing the machine to a controlled stop. For emergency braking and parking the RNLI SOFTRAK is supplied with oil immersed multi disk brakes as standard with emergency parking brake release and pump freewheel tools to allow towing.

• Road lighting pack, including: indicators, sidelights, tail-lights and number plate light.

• Front mounted 5300kg H12P Hydraulic Superwinch de-rated to 3600kgs with 70m of 10mm wire, snap-on safety hook, roller fairlead and full installation. Including, all necessary hydraulic hoses, valves and bracket for front mounting. Winch mount incorporates towing bracket and attachment point for safety strop.

• Up to eight 25kg removable galvanised front ballast weights including mounting frame, fasteners etc. incorporated in the winch bracket.

• Galvanized 700 litre under-slung fresh water ballast tank c/w: Rear level gauge and retained filler cap.

• Anodised aluminium sump guard to seal and protect the underside of the vehicle when the 700 litre galvanised tank is not fitted.

• Auxiliary hydraulics (suitable for driving wash down pumps) comprising: Hydraulic pump, control valves, hoses, fittings and two quick release S/S couplings at the rear of the vehicle.
• Ballast tank mounted, hydraulically powered high volume plunger pump (50 l/min at up to 50 bar), sump breather mounted at high level on the cooler stack, relief valve, filter, snap connectors, 10m of 1/2” hose and spray gun.
• Fixed front mounted 50mm ball hitch/ pin assembly at fixed height of 482mm (19”) to centre of ball and attachment point for safety strop.
• 50mm rear mounted 50mm ball hitch/pin assembly on hydraulically adjusted parallel action drawbar with speed restrictors on the actuating ram and attachment point for safety strop.
  
  
• 2 front mounted and 2 rear mounted 55w halogen work lamps

• DoDo lighting socket (24v) fixed to rear of cab, but switched from inside cab, to operate DoDo lighting.

• 2kg dry powder fire extinguisher and mounting bracket.

• 2 double flash xenon blue beacons at front left and rear right of the cab roof s.

• Audible siren for public awareness, switched from inside cab by 3 position switch, off – reverse - on.

• Mirrors including side, rear view and winch.

Technical Specification:

Engine:

Lombadini 4 cylinder turbo diesel.
Power(DIN 70020) ……………………...………………47kw(67hp)
Capacity……………………………………...............……2198cc
Max Torque……………………………..................……183Nm at 1800rpm

Transmission:

Fully hydrostatic with servo operated pumps and two speed track motors.
Pump capacity ……………………………............………R x 63l/min
Motor capacity……………………………….............……2 x 750/375cc.
System pressure…………………………….........………350bar

Track Gear:

Bridgestone rubber track system with fully floating bogies and hydraulic tensioning.
Track width…………………………………...............……600mm
Max tractive effort ……………………………..............3600kgs
Ground Pressure (unladen)#8230;………....……1.25psi
Maximum Speed…………………………………........……14 kph

Dimensions:

Width…………………………………..................................……2200mm
Heigh……………………………………..................................…2630mm
Length (with rear hitch)…………………………………......……3350mm
Ground Clearance (Without Ballast tank………………….650mm
Ground Clearance (With Ballast Tank)………….............250mm

Weights (c/w: all above options except ballast tank and wash pump)……2,900kg

Ballast Tank (c/w: wash down pump)……………………Approx 450kg

Under slung water ballast tank