TIH 445 tractor with log grapple
The TIH 445 mobile crane was initially developed as the T 159 (also MDK 16) at the VEB (state-owned enterprise) agricultural machinery factory “Rotes Banner” in Döbeln, Saxony, starting in 1970. The self-propelled, pneumatic-tired T 159 had front-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering. The slightly angled driver’s cab was positioned between the front and rear axles, and the drive motor was located above the steering axle, while a slewing mechanism for the boom was mounted above the front axle. The necessary folding outriggers of the T 159 were mounted behind the front axles. Like so many vehicles from the GDR, the T 159 utilized a proven modular system. The two axles and the steering system with hydraulic power assist were taken from the IFA W50 truck. The main boom was mounted on a slewing ring consisting of a double row of steel balls, and rotation was achieved via a rack and pinion mechanism with a range of 230 degrees in the direction of travel. To allow for the attachment of various tools, the boom, which is bent at the front, is articulated to the main boom. This allows the main boom to be extended by one meter in five stages using an extension section.
