Yes I have driven it. It is very difficult to drive and keep under control with a hand clutch and brake when actually doing "work". I have done some plowing as a demonstration and it is very difficult to keep it where you want it. It does have an interesting "electric" governor that is nice but finiky. Changing mounted implements is a chore, it can be used with pull type stuff as well by installing the standard wheels and attaching the drawbar which hooks up under where the tractor hindges and is saddled by the rear frame. It can upset if not driven correctly (thus the concrete in the wheels from the factory to try and lower the cg) It is kinda scarey bumping through a furrow when the one wheel drops down. Driving in reverse is a fun ride as the thing wants to buckle in the middle and or lift the rear of the tractor. It does have some other unique features for 1918 as in electric start and a magnetor/distributor ignition, electric start, lights, and pressuised oiling.
As far as history with our family. We have owned it for about 20 years. Restored it early on as a "working demo" type of restoration so its not all pretty like most of the trailer queens. The plow is NOT a Moline plow it is a JD, but is period correct as Moline designed the rear frame to bolt up to many different 'brands" of mountable plows as well as being adaptable to "mount" pull type plows. Its definately a conversation piece at shows and what not. We (collectively as a family) have a bunch of stationary engines as well. I myself am not a big tractor restoration buff even though I grew up on the farmstead my ansestors cultivated since the mid 1800's. I my interestes delve into motorcycles and cars, but this tractor we all have had some fun with over the years. My grandparents are the ones that show it the most.
