I'm so jealous! My husband left me with 2 boys , 3 and 5, and a none working furnace. However , we had a woodstove in the living room. He was a R and D engineer ,2nd shift. During the day he choose to help a friend with his tree removal business so he left me with a pile of wood almost as big and long as our ranch style house, on 2 acres. All logs were as long as the stove was BUT who do you think split them all by hand . Yep, me mostly with a maul and wedge! No money for splitter.😮 I'm now 74, it did take a toll on my back but I'm surviving, Praise God. As wood started to go down, a neighbor with a saw mill gave me all the slab wood I could come and get. Another Blessing 😊
So, what I’m hearing you say is that you didn’t have over $170,000 in equipment to cut the necessary amount of firewood you needed??? 😂😂😂 God bless ya!!
If you lived on my street, I would share and deliver my seasoned wood to you. I'm 69 and thank God healthy enough to use wood hounding a splitting as my exercise. I'm blessed and sharing is a blessing too.
I was outside at sunrise and it was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Living in a woods light fog,the sun reflecting through the fall colors . I had to just stop take a moment to enjoy!
The FACT that you have been working for yourself and your family now, You really get to enjoy it in your own environment. Pretty Darn Cool. Mike, Melissa and Hunter I have TRULY enjoyed the time, I get to spend being around you all. I look forward to seeing the video. Hearing the Music you put on and the heart to heart talks about the changes we all are experiencing. Thank You ALL.
As a professional Owner/Operator with millions of safe miles, you're hitting the nail on the head. "Most" of these schools are money making schemes, and are not really about safety. Their model is based upon running as many people through as possible to make the schools money, and I also believe there are kickbacks to lobbyists that pushed these ridiculous regulations through. My father and I myself learned from experience of others, and by doing the work. I grew up around farm equipment learning how to handle large equipment. I could have grandfathered in when the CDL regs came out, but years later went in, and passed the OH CDL with flying colors...no school needed, just common sense.
My dad just retired from self owned small construction business and had his cdl in PA. That pain and confusion was one of the main reasons he retired. He could hardly go to the next township over without being pulled over. And they always found one obscure thing to ticket him for. This is why small businesses are failing, way too complicated.
All they are, are bonafide revenue agents drumming up money for the county and state. Its when they cross that line and get sued and lose it all does it seem like they get really fussy.
My sister owns a coffee company in Minnesota. They strangle small businesses here. They say it's protection for the consumer and the business owner. Nope! The county and state make money hand over fist.
I served 20 years as a LEO in California (Retired in 2011). The California Vehicle Code is massive and they keep adding to it every year. Result is every time you drive you’ll be violating some law in the Vehicle Code. Government control in the United States is ridiculous.
It’s full on winter like out here Montana. We got snow and it was negative 3 last night. I think you spot on about the CDL- it’s very different than it was a couple of years ago. The CDL program I went through was pretty good and flexible. You did your classroom portion online at your convenience. Then you signed up for 3 hour driving slots that were at your convenience. They had 2 day slots Monday-Friday. 3 Evening slots, and one 4 hour Saturday slot. It was 6 weeks long. It was a good course and the flexibility was an added benefit.
Good morning Mike, good video today. One thing I never get tired of you talking about the changing of the leaves on the trees, because we don’t get that here in California. One more thing Melissa looked like a movie star the that nice hair and those big sunglasses, you’re a lucky guy. My wife Linda and I have been married almost 50 years now and she always has a nice short hair style. So we’re both lucky fellows. And I did already see Melissa’s video yesterday, great one.
Mike, If you operate a vehicle in commerce (meaning in business like your wood business) with a GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more across state lines the DOT regs apply to you. Some states have different weight requirements if you operate intra-state only ( meaning only in that state). I live in Arizona and if you are intrastate only you are allowed up to 18,000 GVW before the rules apply. As for the CDL requirements, if you drive a single power unit with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, you need a Class B CDL. If you pull a trailer with a GVWR of 10,001 lbs or more and the combination of the 2 units has a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more you then need a Class A CDL. Can be confusing. You can drive a truck with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs pulling a trailer with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs and not need a CDL even though the combination exceeds 26,000 lbs. The reason is the ratings have to be above 26,000 and 10,000 respectively. Talk to the trooper again. Most states have DOT Enforcement sections that with help answer all DOT questions and get you set up for new carrier entrants such as yourself.
Happy Saturday 😊. I totally agree with Mike. My favorite time of year is fall, and here in north central WV, this has been the best fall we can remember for many, many years. Great video! Thanks for sharing, and have a wonderful weekend ! 😊
Your "narly" wood, we use in our woodburner. Your wood is always so nice. John has found out his "Wolf Ridge" is super! Chris is great guy to buy from. God bless you all
Mike, some of your rounds are so pretty, they would make 4 great pieces of Rift sawn 8/4 ish cherry each, 20 to 50 worth depending on the size of the round, and you'd still have five pieces of firewood left counting the pith. But then, you'd need a planer and the time, so might not be worth the effort, but it would sure make nice small pieces of wood for turners or small projects. It would be easy to take the pieces using your upright splitter then a couple trips thru a planer and it would be beautiful. Talk about premium wood!
Enjoyed the interaction between you and Melissa on this one, another great video. We burned wood for many years I can't tell you how much I enjoyed splitting wood with the power splitter. Great tip on the 4 way wedge, thanks Mike.
You have definitely figured out systems and steps of systems that work for you and what you are doing from a few videos back and splitting using the excavator to today's video using the excavator to handle the cut wood pieces as for the CDL comment about driving school you are on the money I had my class 1 in B.C. and had to redo it as I work for a company out of Washington state (legal resident) was amazed at how fine they had the school to a system to get students to pass. I drive a pickup with a 14000 lbs trailer and do to the truck being 13500 and the trail 14000 in Washington it requires a CDL cause the capable weight is a total of 27500 so over the 26000 magic number kind of crazy when you see guys with the same pickup with a side by side on a rack in the back and a big bumper pull trailer dragging it but going down the road with a car license. I also run a 17 international with a 48 foot trail so good thing I got the CDL L learned years ago from a old boss keep them clean and lights working will keep you out of trouble and if you do get pulled over or in at a scale be nice they are doing a job 😅
Ill agree with you Mike on the leaf colors this year. The leaves have had temperent weather, no early frosts, not much knocking them down early, low winds, minimal rain to knock then down etc. Plus for us, lots and lots of snowpack in mountains here in Utah made for the best colors since we've lived here. So yeah, could be the best fall in 20 years. Your colors are hanging tough.
That’s a lot of rounds to do in that amount of time. You are your son make a great team. Can’t wait to see Ty out there helping Dad and Papa 😊 blessing’s to you and your family 😇❤️
So that pile is enough for your needs for one year. Now you need to multiply that stack 45 times, or however many customers you have. Maybe it's always good idea to assume you will pick up another 12 customers this winter. I'd say that today's production was a healthy drop in the bucket. Not to worry though, just keep in mind the most important thing to have; fresh batteries for the cameras!!! Thanks, Mike. Melissa, I watched your video, very nice, and I agree that you need to make more!! Thank you too.👍🚜❤️🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸
I think Melissa makes a good point about the "this is the best" comments. There definitely is an individualistic perspective involved. I'm not sure that this is the absolute best color we've had in 20 years but I agree completely that the leaves have stayed on the trees longer this year. So even if there was better color in another year it didn't stick around for us to see it as long.
I have 34 years in trucking , been a driver trainer for the last 10 . You are 100 % correct about the CDL schools , they train you to pass the test and get a job
Mike do you enjoy and appreciate fall more because you are doing what you like? You are where you want to be doing what you obviously like… Happy fall! Best time of year hands down! Love it in Maine.
I have never had new furniture except when I had rent to own. I have had reupholstered or repaired furniture that looks almost new. Mostly yard sale or salvation army bought. There are amazing upholstery people and woodworkers out there. Loved that video and your content.
Hey Mike, concerning straining your back, may I suggest, using a back support belt. Youight think it doesn't help much, but, many years ago, when I was a tour bus driver, the company I worked for gave all the drivers one to support our backs when we needed to load luggage. After using it, I found that my back was less strained at the end of the day. It might help you, too.
Same here in western Ozarks. 65F/18C yesterday morning - shortsleeve weather and even then sweating some. About 10:00 am, a short heavy rain blew through and it started cooling off enough I needed my sweatshirt. Ran over to next town west and rain through a lot of mist and light rain. Temp down to 50F/10C and needed my coat. 40F/5C this morning. Lows expected to crawl lower until Tuesday, when the low is forecast to 18F/-7C. Gonna be crispy!
I'm going to be complimentary to both of you... Melissa, I was delighted to hear how you challenged Mike on the amount of time, it took to split all that wood. Inside, I knew you were thinking to yourself that you could have done it faster. Mike, I agree with you, it is the best fall ever.
I completely agree with you, Mike, the most gorgeous fall leaves in years! I pay attention to the leaves and this is not just a pretty year, it is epic color and they seem to be hanging on. Last year was pretty and the year before they were disappointing!
Melissa's hair do looks good on her. I too, since retirement have been noticing a lot more around the yard and elsewhere. It's good to slow down sometimes and enjoy the view.
Mike , I have been in business now for 18yrs. Im gonna get right to the point. In my experience any vehicle with a GVW rating over 13000 lbs empty cannot pull a trailer with a GVW over 10000 lbs empty. My experience has also required me to conclude that the laws are intentionally confusing. For 12 of those 18 yrs i pulled a 14k trailer with a 11.5k ford 350 7.3 diesel. The total of those two weights is under the 26000lb limitation. ON that trailer i pulled a 9600lb excavator, and less often a 9000lb loader. ( I emailed a picture) I have been asked to produce documentation once in 18yrs. When I pull ; my equipment is chained down to DOT spec ..... ALWAYS. My equipment, overall; is and appears to be, well maintained. Breakaway apparatus as per spec. Im gonna warn you before you invest the majority of 100k in a dump truck, dont expect to pull a 10k trailer with anything over a 350 ford class. The laws are for the most part BS. But that BS can get you in trouble. Im tagged for 24,000lbs which is less than the maximum weight i pull on any given day .That weight declaration on my registration cost me a little over 500.00 / year to renew my tags. DMV will look at your equipment , check your tag on their laptop all while driving on the road. Presently, I pull a new 8600 lb excavator behind a Ford 450 6.7 pickup all to avoid that 26k limitation. Most utility contractors have done the same: bought a somewhat lighter machine so as to conform to the weight limits and any unpleasant interactions with DMV. Its all nuthin but a game. MAGA
Morning Morgans! We love getting to watch a video of the Morgans on Saturday morning! The fall colors in your area are beautiful! Thanks for sharing all of that. Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend. Give Hunter a pat on the back and hello from the Harp family in Texas. ❤️
Mike I drive a tractor everyday. Never had a problem. Been pulled over 3 x in the last 5 years. There are things the dot guys look for more than others. They really love pulling over the hot shot guys (pickups pulling trailers). Good luck.
Hi Mike. I've found Buying DEF in the boxes and pouring into the tank is a real pain. Here in the Midwest the truck stops have DEF at the pump. It's much easier to swing thru and fill the tank up periodically - lasts quite a while.
MIKE I AGREE 💯 % JUST TOLD MY WIFE A FEW DAY'S AGO THIS IS THE BEST FALL COLORS I CAN REMEMBER AND SHE AGREED. GREAT SHOW THANKS FOR KEEPING YOUR VIDEOS SHORT SO US WORKING FOLKS IN NORTH CAROLINA CAN WATCH!
My last truck was diesel and I saved 3 DEF containers and would refill them at a truck stop near me. It was half price conpaired to buying at Wal-Mart. Have a Jesus filled day everyone Greg in Michigan
Good morning from Upstate South Carolina. Mike, I agree with you the laws. I'm probably breaking one right now just sitting in my chair. Have another productive day.
Mike, our autumn has also been unique. It's been warm and the colors have come on slowly and evenly. But over the last couple of days, about 60% have dropped. And here comes the cold weather.
I get your tip about using the 4 way to get 7 pieces in two passes. You are always looking for efficiencies in process. As always the fun is in the details. Nice.
Wow. Thats what i call production. Just a few days ago, the wood bunker was totally empty and in just a few short hrs it is well on its way to being full again. That was a handy tip too. Now i just need a wolfridge splitter so i can take advantage of the tip lol. Stay well, stay safe and yall HAVE A DAY
Awesome Production Day On The Firewood! Great Team!! Nice Start To Replenish The Wood In Bunker!! Melissa Your Hair Did Look Beautiful!! Mike Great Advice On Placement Of Wood Round While Splitting!! Keep Smiling On!! 😄👍👊❤️
Tuna noodle casserole is awesome, especially with lots of peas and carrots in it. I make it with canned chicken instead of tuna. I line it that way much better.
Mike you are so right about things changing very fast, the sad part is they dont send you changes in the mail. Instead it's up to the individual to research the information and changes that have been made!, it sucks but it is what it is!. I wanted to put the tractor in the barn for winter and I cant the leaves are falling fast and I have to run it up the drive daily to blow the leaves off, lololo.
When I was in the police academy and learning the vehicle code my instructor said something very profound. The way the vehicle code is written I can find probable cause to pull over a vehicle coming off the assembly line. PA has a very strict vehicle and driver laws
You’re right Mike, the CDL requirements are so freaking complicated. Its taken countless hours reading for me to understand it all. Wish i would have gotten mine before the new law went into effect. Now it’s full time class 8hrs a day for 4-6 weeks, then some other crap. None of us with a job can do that. This is why i bought a 3/4 ton truck, and not a 1 ton. 10k GVWR for the 3/4 and a 16k trailer keeps me from needing a CDl. I can haul up to a cat 305 mini or a 299 skid. I couldn’t do that if I had a 1 ton.
@Mike - I think you are 100% correct. Because of the dry fall in general, the leaves here in NC are amazing this year! It is one of the best in my 50 years.
I agree with you about the Diesel Extortion Fluid. That stuff does about as much good for our environment as EVs do. Probably does more harm than good in my opinion.
My Father owned a small construction business in the 60s, 70s and 80s. His 3 sons and an Uncle were his “crew”. We had one dump truck, a backhoe, a small bulldozer, a paving machine, a lowboy trailer 2 pickup trucks, a couple of flatbed trailers and some other assorted equipment. As each of us got old enough to drive these vehicles, we were taught to check everything before leaving our property. His reasoning still holds true today…..”we are too poor to be paying traffic tickets”. In the years I worked for him I was never stopped a single time and had zero issues at the weigh stations. So, keep your equipment in good shape, be familiar with every aspect of its workings and maintenance and be prepared to do any reasonable roadside repair whenever it might be necessary. I’ve been a LEO for 45 years, having done inspections for several of those. I’ve never stopped any vehicle that did not appear to have an issue. I will ignore the older, well kept truck that has all its lights working, doesn’t have debris on the gunnels, load covered if required, adequate mud flaps and is being driven with care, over a brand new truck that looks like crap and whose operator doesn’t give a damn because “ the company will pay the ticket”. Sounds like you’re only looking at a single towing setup and not a fleet. Getting one rigged like you desire and keeping it performing (and yes, looking good) does not appear to be an issue. I say build one that serves your needs, keep it up to spec and go make even more money with it. And, since it appears your regularly traveling pretty much the same general areas, making it as distinctive as possible will make you known to the LEOs in those areas that stopping you would be a waste of time. Does it guarantee that you won’t get stopped? Nope, but a stop does not automatically result in a citation. 🫡
I drive truck for a living. DEF is a pain I agree. Is being used now to help take the sulfur out of the fuel. Should make sure your diesel has a lubricity additive because by taking sulfur out that took natural lubricity away from the fuel.
Your forecast sounds like ours in NE Kansas for this next week. Was 80 on Thursday and 50 Friday. Now 45 today. 40s for highs and upper 20s to low 30s for lows. Had to drain all the hoses and empty anything holding water. Enjoying the fall foliage
I will have to agree with you Mike. I'm in South Ga. but go to North Carolina mountains every fall and 3 weeks ago I was there and never in my 62 yrs have I ever seen it so beautiful!
I think it's one of the best falls in 15 years. You're a blessed man Mike. Got a beautiful wife that will cook what she doesn't like to make you happy. That's good Love. I do want to see the Melissa/Mike splitting challenge.
We watched the temperature drop 15° in 30 minutes (77° to 62°) yesterday afternoon. Now it’s 43° with a high today of 50° and drop into the 20’s over the next two days. Glad I have plenty of fire starter and oak for my wood stove!
North east Missouri. That front started moving in about 10 11 o’clock. Thankful for the rain we still have cops in The area. It will have to freeze now I guess
Hello Mike, If I was purchasing another small dump truck I would look into the small cabovers like Isuzu or Chev etc. I had an old used Isuzu service body truck and the maneuverability of theses is unbelievable. Go test drive one before you buy. A little scary at first being right in front. If your use is delivery of wood , getting in and out easy is important. Good Luck. They are all too rich for my taste at this point in life.
Mike, you might want to consider adding another row of blocks to build firewood, bin higher all the way around to where the conveyor is .. maybe consider building a shed roof over in the bin area to keep the rain and snow off the firewood ..
With regard to more capacity of the log pit. i was amazed that the concrete blocks were not placed around the perimeter and just off the slab. Yes a few more blocks would be required but look at the extra capacity. As far as i can see there is absolutely no need to have the blocks on the slab, just a total waste of available concrete which could hold logs. All the best from England Mr Morgan and also to your Mrs and the kids of course.
Mellisa’s video was awesome, I was wondering what the inside of the building looked like, great job Mellisa! Looking forward to seeing the shower house video! Love that skid loader! ✌🏼❤️🙏🏼 Same weather here in Mi, the leaves are never ending!
We both agree about the best fall this year we are going up to see the leaves and elk tomorrow wanted to last weekend but it didn't work out I agree it's our last chance cause next week will be completely different 😊😊😊
Mike , just a thought ... leave the wood in the wood bucket instead of dumping on the ground and having to pick up off the ground , it helps with the back . I do about 12 logger cord a year without all the nicer equipment and it keeps a guy in shape . Melissa , hair looks great 🥰
Mike wouldn't last at GE long.... work smarter, not harder. Bottom line in any business, the less moves more profit. I've suggested loading onto a conveyor from the excavator as it saves the back and one less move... if it's not Mike's idea he isn't doing it.
LOLOL.. Love how Melissa tries to push you along and keep you grounded.. All proud of yourself, "We split all that firewood in 1.5 hours" Melissa -- "Really? Who is slowing you down? Looks like 45 minutes of work" We all need someone to keep us humble and grounded
I have walnut trees on my property and they are the first to start dropping the leaves and i have been cleaning up since September and just a few are hanging so hopefully in the next week they will be finished dropping
By the time you cut the rounds and handle them at least twice then you handle them again on a splitter it just seems much more efficient to have a processor that really takes the work out of the job. Even a small processor can take logs 10 to 12 feet long then cuts them , splits them and loads or piles it up from the conveyor. After 45 minutes of processing I have to either move the machine or push the wood pile away from the conveyor because it is hitting the conveyor belt. Thats with the conveyor sticking up at 45 degrees which makes it 9 feet high. (small processor) It ends up being over one cord in 45 minutes unless you get some trashy logs.
Mike, have you considered building a receiving table for the rounds before you split them. A 4 ft. by 10 ft. table with a slight slant towards the splitter would eliminate you having to handle the rounds. Just dump the bucket on the table. Just a thought. We aren't getting younger by no means. Great video.
I fell trees. Cut into rounds. Took home and split. Then stacked. Some times free standing? Its alot of work.!! Sometimes I had a good time! I miss it! After 34 years you would miss it also.
Always enjoy the videos. Melissa is tough...45 min is the goal I guess... I always like your opine sections , agree 100%. I say the exact same thing, I am probably breaking a law every day! On saving your back(and maybe getting to Melissas goal!) have you thought about using the wood bucket as a feed table/staging table for the rounds rather than dumping on the ground where they have to be lifted back to the splitter. The bucket set at the feed height you can slide or roll to the splitter. Its a bit more jumping in and out of machine, I think you can get in and out since the door rolls up....maybe not... or maybe mill up some 4xs and make a feed table to dump on. Just a thought from a guy looking for anything I can to save my body/back.
Had to pause n comment. Just wanna say watching you two is really watching something special. Melissa was in rare form 😂🤣. Anyway, back to the video. Ps, thx guys for bringing us along and letting us in for a glimpse. Always enjoy the videos Scott
Where I work , we get rookies all the time that took a cdl class but never drove a truck during the training. Like you said they went to pass to get their license. In a video of mine a rookie spent an hour and still couldn't back up to our dock that was wide open. I had one of our seasoned flat bed drivers to help her and she did the opposite and almost hit the building. Check it out Rookie truck driver dock backup
Having the right equipment makes everything so much easier. My 1st job besides paperboy in elementary school was cutting firewood. At 15 we (father, 2 sons and me) drove from PA to NJ about an hour to bring home 3 chords on a GMC stake body towing a splitter. We'd get there, wood cut the day before was collected w/ a Cat metal track front end loader and if it couldn't get there we'd have to carry it up or down a hill, Oak, 80%, Popelar, 10% and Dogwood, 10%. Then we'd grab the saws, 2 Stihls w/ 18" bars which we made our cuts. Once we cut enough for the next day then time to split and rack. Slow hydraulic splitter was to slow so he bought a Kung Fu splitter w/ a weighted fly wheel. Watch your fingers. Deliver 3 chords on the way home equals 14 hr days @ $3.35/hr. and he was getting $110.00/chord in 1976. His oldest son quit 1 week after and the other 2 weeks after I started. His bucket on the Cat was 3 yards. Payed for my lifeguard cert and getting my car on the road. My back is paying for it now @ 60.
It is a shame things have changed so much. Many years ago I worked for a rafting company. To drive a bus, CDL was required, at the time there was a written test, then I had to do a short driving test in one of the busses and that was it.
Mike and Melissa in my opinion you can not show enough of the fall colors. I'm loving it. We finally have gotten out of the 100 degree weather. Mike, I'm with you and Hunter on tuna noodle casserole. I love it but my husband will not eat anything that has any type of seafood in it. I haven't had it for decades. Keep posting, I enjoy the videos. Melissa looking forward to watching Morgans off the Leash. God Bless
Wow Mike, Melissa is quite a taskmaster! She took no time in ketting the air out of your baloon. She cuts you record splitting time in half to 45 minutes and tells you that this is not the best fall colors ever! I will credit her for saying that now that you are working in your element, you are able to see things that you didn't see before.
