Howard's STIHL Tractor

During the 1991 Stihl Study Tour in Germany, we were privileged to visit their museum. Amongst the very interesting items of old chain saws and machinery was a tractor. This tractor intrigued me, and I asked many people about it but could learn little. I later spoke to my friend, Hans Peter Nowy, in Germany, and asked if there was any chance, he could locate a Stihl tractor or any information about them for me. Hans Peter said he would try but thought they would be few and far between. Time passed. Then I received a phone call to say that one had been found and was available from what I believe was an agricultural college near Stuttgart. Instructions were given to buy and it was dispatched. The long-awaited tractor was shipped to Melbourne, the paperwork completed, monies paid and then the tractor transported to its new home in Charmhaven, NSW. Unloading began, and my heart sank, for out of the truck came this strange tractor covered in German transfers, bits and pieces welded to the front axle, rear drawbar and underneath etc. Yes, it was a Stihl tractor; very different to the one in the museum, but very restorable! It was stripped, sand blasted, repaired, restored and given a 2-pack paint job. The tractor celebrated its debut at our club's Cranky Handle Rally at Morpeth, NSW, where several faults occurred, and the tractor proved hard to start. The next outing was T.O.M.M Classic Tractor Trek, where it happily performed trouble-free. The engine is a 131B, 14hp, 2 stroke, air cooled diesel, with 5 forward gears (one being very low speed) and one reverse. At this stage I would like to personally thank the Stihl Chainsaw Co., Hans Peter Nowy, and all who helped in the recovery and restoration of this unusual and interesting tractor.