Several days ago we had a thread about Walter Strehlow, the chief engineer at the Allis Chalmers Farm Equipment division who played a vital role in most of the A-C tractors that were designed and built from the WC through much of the D series.   Here's the old thread:

http://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45583&KW=STREHLOW&title=walter-strehlow" rel="nofollow - http://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45583&KW=STREHLOW&title=walter-strehlow

I mentioned that I had been lucky enough to acquire a parts book for the B and C tractors with his name on the cover.  Last night I needed to look up some parts for my B project, and I found what I believe to be Mr Strehlow's book in my filing cabinet and decided to share some scans from it.

  Here is the front cover with his signature in the upper right corner.  It's interesting that the cover is blue.  Most that I have seen are gray or brown.  Was this special to parts books that were used internally at A-C?

Inside there are lots of little notes like this one.  Perhaps this was done as updates and engineering changes were made?

Sorry the notes were cut off.  If you really need to know what it says, I'll be happy to look it up again.

Another tidbit that I found interesting was this slip of paper that carefully documented the cost of ownership of a B tractor and mower in the late '60's and early '70's.  I wish I could get some of those new rear tires for $20!  From the way the final calculation was done (cross cancelled units), I am inclined to believe that this was an engineer's note to himself, although the 1974 date makes it plain that this was not Mr. Strehlow's, since he died in 1971. Nevertheless I still find it interesting as a time capsule and thought I would share it anyway.

As I mentioned in the previous thread, it would be neat to have met Mr Strehlow and hear his stories about inventing the traction booster, roll-shift front axle, etc.  A google search for his name will bring up lots of patents for the features that we admire.  He must have been quite a fellow.

Two notes:

First, sorry that the notes at the bottom of the page aren't easier to read.  I suppose I should have cropped the picture more before I resized it. Most of the other notes are smaller than this one.  Many are notes next to gaskets and other parts that were also included in sets of parts or kits (i.e. gasket sets, spark plug wire sets, piston and sleeve kits, etc.)

Second, I should have been more specific in saying that the last little note was found folded up in this parts book.

Bill: it's interesting that you have a blue book too.  All of my other parts manuals are gray or tan colored, this is the first blue one I've had.