Massive Overgrown Field vs. Mini Skid and Brush Cutter? Big Job Little Machine 

Mike, I had a brainstorm last night. Thank you for highlighting my comment. So considering that comment, this could be the absolute cure to the whole stiltgrass, and growing fresh lawn dilemma. So.. to repeat... "I also (after Googling it) that you are taking the right approach to the Japanese Stiltgrass. here is a copy and paste: How do you stop Japanese stiltgrass from spreading? Tip of the Week: Removing Invasive Japanese Stilt Grass ... Tip of the Week: Removing Invasive Japanese Stilt Grass Since Japanese stilt grass is an annual grass, the primary goal is to prevent it from producing seeds. ..." BINGO. You take the stiltgrass and when it is dry, you spread the area in your new grass/lawn seeds. You don't want the stiltgrass to be damp or wet because the seeds will stick to it instead of falling to the ground. THEN you run over the area with the brush cutter. That would stop the stiltgrass from producing seed, and the mulch that it turns into will protect your new grass seed from being dinner for the deer, as well as retaining moisture for the new regular grass seed to grow. It is the same as if you spread hay over it. It's the perfect solution. The feedback you achieve from trying it enables you to perfect the process even further. Love your channel.

That machine is a beast! There's only 2 issues that concerns me...allergies and the most concerning...wasps/bees/hornets/yellow jackets! Thanks for always putting out great content!

Completely agree with your logic on owning a mini-skid with various attachments, but I'm old and i remember when tractor seats were uncomfortable and you stood a lot. Then progressed to cabs, air ride seats, heat, air, and a radio you can hear. You standing for 1-1/2 hr just brought a smile of remembrance

Mike, when you love what you do it isn't work. I was a musician and I loved it. When you say something is a waste of time, heck boating is a huge waste of time in one sense. It doesn't make most people money it costs them money and takes a lot of time. But it's their sanity. But back before I retired from touring, I'd see a boat go by headed to the lake and I'd smile because I was at the lake all the time. So I fully understand how you love being in your wood yard. For years I didn't do much else but music but when I "retired" (when you retire you don't sit and do nothing, you just get to do more things that you love to do) I began to take time for other things, my second love being wood. That's one reason I love your channel. I love to build and I also love the firewood and sawmill thing. However, at my age I won't ever get to do those things, but I can enjoy watching you do it. So bottom line, if you're getting to do what you love, for whatever reason, profit or sanity, I don't see it as a waste of time. I just wish everyone could make a living at what they love to do. We'd live in a much more pleasant world because people would be happier and not feel the need to complain so much. But then, happiness is largely seeing the glass as half full instead of half empty.

I completely agree with the mini skid. It’s the perfect tool for certain things. That’s why I’m really considering getting one. Love seeing that on the channel now!

If I was a young man, which I’m not, and if I was just stating out, which I’m not, I would get one of these. This is great advice for a young man.

I thought you were over praising the brush cutter but after I saw what you did to that field, I am blown away. What a great piece of equipment. I also (after Googling it) that you are taking the right approach to the Japanese Stiltgrass. here is a copy and paste: How do you stop Japanese stiltgrass from spreading? Tip of the Week: Removing Invasive Japanese Stilt Grass ... Tip of the Week: Removing Invasive Japanese Stilt Grass Since Japanese stilt grass is an annual grass, the primary goal is to prevent it from producing seeds. ... Mowing: For large areas, mowing or weed-whacking are good options. ... Spraying: For large areas, spraying with a certified organic herbicide is also an option. More items...•Sep 20, 2010

Morning Morgan's. In a good way, I'm jealous. For several reasons but the biggest is today and for many days before and after today we are 100 plus degrees here I'm my part of Texas 😢🥵😓. Appreciate your sharing your thoughts and experience. Blessings to you, Melissa and family. I enjoy watching people succeed. Your experience and knowledge is commendable along with your creative expertise. Thank you and your family for the Patriotic and positive influence on our country's culture. A long time Missionary friend told me 50 years ago a great principle/axiom i.e. "if we all will do what we are supposed to do it will all get done. Thank you Mike for your energetic lifestyle. Blessings to you and family in Jesus's Mighty Name. Matthew 16:18 KJV - And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ❤☝🙏🙌💪

Mike, Consider making a wide border around your 'food plot' that's a kill-zone using Roundup to keep the stilt grass at bay.

I've not been any further west than Souix Falls, SD. North, and no further than Brownwood, Texas, South. You did say you preferred trees, and water, etc. And you said that out west, one can just sit and stare at the beauty. I guess it can be called beauty, but to me, it just seems hot, dry, and baren. I've never had a desire to visit there. Certainly, nowhere the temperature hits 3 digits!! Not for me. Texas was extreme enough for me. I lived there just over two months and was so happy to go back to NC. Your mini skid mowing trails and property edges okay. That 90 minutes mow would have been more enjoyable sitting in the cab of the 4020. I do agree w you about the performance of that mower!! It chews it up very well, even small tree limbs. How nice to have a guy flag you about your trailer. Very cool. Now that outfit in Ohio will have to start calling that trailer, the Mike Morgan trailer! Another great video, Mike. Thanks!👍🚜❤️🙏🇺🇲🇺🇲

The Mini Did A Real Job On That Overgrown Feild Awesome!! The Red Oak Firewood Pile Is Growing Fast!! Keep Smiling On!! 😅👍👊❤️

Good morning Morgan's and ODWMS family from BUCKS COUNTY, pa. What a beautiful weekend it is . Enjoy and have day everyone.

As a person who is on their second heavy duty Bush Hog mower, wore out the first one. Your bush cutter on your mini skid is impressive!

WOW! I can’t believe how well that brush hog worked on that mini skid. Very impressed. I really could have used that when I owned my landscaping business.

Good morning Mike, good to see you back on the saddle again doing what you do best. Enjoyed this video today, with my morning coffee. Have a Day, my Friend!

Good Sunday morning everyone!

Providing habitat and feed as a sportsman, is an important component of land stewardship, and conservation. Watching the animals thrive is as satisfying as harvesting the game. Maybe even more for me now.

Good morning to Hunter 👋👋😺and family and friends , wishing you all a peaceful Sunday 🙏😸

Drone footage was VERY cool!!😊

i like the new headache rack on the long bed ......it makes it look fine

That cut that field, actually pulverized it in no time!👍 Been looking for a brush hog for my Rk. Would love to have that cutter

Mr. Mike, I grew up hunting & continue to hunt. As the older I’ve gotten & with having children, I do all that stuff you just talked about for them to go & harvest one. If I never get another one, I’ll be ok. Will continue to put the work in for the next generations to come! Keep doing what you do.

Fall is the best time to overseed. Use a preemergent in the spring to keep the Japanese stilt grass at bay. My neighbor has Japanese Stiltgrass in her yard but it doesn’t come into my TTTF/ KGB - super dense which helps.

Hey Mike, great discussion on hunting. At 78 I don't do much hunting anymore, but sure can relate to your comments. Sounds like you and Melissa are pumped for the elk hunt. I've really enjoyed hunting elk and mule deer near Encampment in southeast Wyoming a few years back, beautiful country.

That cutter is pretty amazing Mike, I agree with you

Crater lake, Oregon has it all water, mountains, and trees.

Love that machine ran old school 5 ft brosh hog today no comparison excellent cheers 🥂 😊

Mike, use a weed burner on the stilt grass just give it a good scorching. You don't have to burn it down to the ground. You would have to do it several times to kill it off. But it worked on an invasive weed that showed up in my lawn a few years ago. And if timed right it will kill the seeds before they mature. Mowing might work if done consistently over time but fire should cause enough damage over a year to kill the roots. You would then have to keep an eye out for new patches that spring up from seed and torch them as needed. Just a thought.

Great to be able to see videos made by a man with old fashioned integrity.👍

That mini skid & vernig work EXCEPTIONALLY well. It didn't miss a beat on the video, it never even lost many rev's, chugging through that vegitation. WOW!!

We love it out west. Co, Utah, Az, Wy, Idaho etc etc. so much different than Ky and so many places to explore. Haven’t been able to go since 2018 but did get in 9 years Hope to go back soon….

I have a Kubota L4060 cab. I had a pond to mow around and over a ledge at the back of my property to keep the weeds down. And a side yard that would overgrow pretty badly. I wanted the best of the best so I did my research and ended up getting Del Morino super 158 flail mower. Now you would think it would be awesome. But that was not the case. The only word I can accurately describe it as is jalopy. It’s the kind that can angle up 90° and down 45° as well as articulate out to the side of the tractor. I needed this option to get in the tight places and on the angles that I could not drive the tractor. I spent nearly $7500 for it, I was not impressed. It had the Y blades instead of the hammer blades and cut with no issues decent enough, and it had no problem cutting the weeds down, but it was all over the place and constantly had to be adjusted with the hydraulics to keep it straight. It was almost as if I was dragging a boat sideways with its anchor out. Now, if you are getting it just to do a field then don’t get the articulating option. Just get the one that stays behind the tractor. I’m sure that won’t be an issue. The other issue was that when you had it at 90° vertical and you hit the lever to bring it down, the front hanging guard plates hit the hydraulic support arm and it literally destroys the plates like their made out of aluminum foil and bends the 1/2” diameter plate hanging bar completely. That means you have to get out of the tractor and push them out of the way anytime you want to fold it back down. It’s a stupid design. As far as Del Morino though it is well made and I got it because Messicks sells parts for it. I ended up recently selling it for $6000 and bought a Vernig X30 brush cutter for my Kubota KX 040-4 excavator. WAYYYYYY better product. This thing is awesomesauce. I would almost recommend just getting the standard mower deck for the back of your new tractor over a flail mower as I don’t believe it’s worth the extra money for the flail mower. The best option would be to get the full sized skid steer version of the Vernig.

We did Yellowstone some years ago in late September, early October. Perfect. Caught some fine fall weather, crowds were limited - parking lot near Old Faithful was at most 10% full.. As for Moab - loved Arches when we were there. Next time through it'll be Canyonlands. Also consider Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley. Also loved the area between Salida and Montrose, CO as well.

The mini skid is very useful in tight spaces, and for small jobs. But just like the two acre field you just cut. It would have been more comfortable to just load up the tractor with the bush hog. Sit down for two hours in a climate controlled environment. Not worry about rain, etc. be able to make phone calls. And probably get it done a bit faster with less wear on the good old knees. Neither one would require a CDL. And even a 75 hp track machine comes in around 9000 pounds and even with a couple of attachment can be comfortably towed with your truck and trailer. In our business time is money, we want to get in and out. That’s why we only use the small equipment in very tight working environments. But nevertheless is a very impressive machine. But for the money you can almost buy a skid loader 65 hp with an open cab and do the exact same thing must quicker, and have a lot more lifting ability. Standing up all day is not that attractive, unless you’re constantly on and off the machine all the time.

Hello from Australia

Good morning Morgans and friends. Hope everyone has a great day

I have been trying to get to the Paul bunion shop as last 3 years to meet you Mick an Melissa it would of made my day to finally meet you both

Good morning from Kentucky .

Drive the Rubicon out west and run Moab trails in the Jeep. We did it in 2013 and crossed the Rubicon Trail as well as several passes in Colorado.

Thank you Mike for explaining about the Tuesday’s videos. As a viewer, I do appreciate the info, and now better understand the pressures you are under. Please keep up the videos. Would like to see more of you and Hunter, always interested in his sandwich choices. I also appreciate more info on the Golden’s! My wife passed away suddenly, and I become Mr. Mom, to my teenage boys. Had to learn how to cook and clean quickly. I got my boys a Golden after my wife’s passing. He was fantastic! Unfortunately, he passed at 2.5 from cancer. Looking for another pet, hopefully soon!

The nice thing with those mini-skid steers is their small size...like with my sub-compact tractor, they fit in places all those big fancy machines can't get into. If you are trying to work in one of the many subdivision properties, you simply can't get those big machines into back yards, even the small machines can be a challenge. I roto-tilled and moved a bunch of stone for a friend last year and even my sub-compact tractor and roto-tiller barely fit between the side of his house and the fence. Even the B-Series tractor would have been a tight squeeze....a mini-skid wouldn't have any trouble getting into stuff like that for sure as long as you have a gate opening wide enough. Even the lawn companies have issues getting their equipment into back yards because so many places have tiny gates where even a 36" mower may not fit. The problem with that mini-skid is the price....for something that small the price on them is way out of the budget of many who are just starting out....at least buying new, even used they still have premium prices attached because everybody wants them because they're so versatile in just about any application requiring machines that can move dirt, mow, move heavy stuff around, etc.

When I had seen how tall the growth was in that field I didn't think that brush cutter would work very well!, I was dead wrong!. I'm so impressed with the mini skid and the brush cutter, I thought it would bogg it down going that fast!. It's a great addition!.

After you spread the winter rye, go over it with the power rake. We always planted our cereal grains with a grain drill set at about 1 1/2 inches. That rake should work fine. 👨🏻‍🦳 🐄🐄 🚜

For a field that size, when you have an AC cab you can sit down on makes more sense.. if you had to run that mini skid everyday for 8 hours on fields so big I doubt it or you would last long in the hot sun.

It's sunday night in the philippines

Acres per hour can be calculated approximately by taking the width of the implement x the travel speed divided by 10 . 5-10% loss of efficiency is expected. 3.5 mph x 4ft width=14÷10=1.4 acres/hour. In your case, 90 minutes = 2.01 acres

Good Sunday morning!

If you end up doing a lot of that as a side job, consider the farmer pattern. One circle that continually moves left vs a continually diminishing circle. Start on one outside edge, make turn about 10 cut widths from end of field, make next turn in the dead center of field, get to end turn towards first cut and continue that pattern moving to left. That way you make a natural turn at the ends and can expand outward at the ends so your always cutting and you save time and fuel and never gave a sharp turn. With the circle always enclosing on itself you end up having to maneuver at the ends as the strip gets narrower. Easy to draw, harder to do with just words. Make sense?

I used to mow 2 acres with a garden tractor that had a 44" mower deck...it usually took about 2 hours to 2-1/2 hours depending on how thick and tall the grass was....and used to do that every week for 21 years LOL. Wish I knew how many hours was on that garden tractor when it finally died had to be several thousand hours on that thing between all the mowing and other yard/garden chores it got used for. I need to get a flail mower for my tractor...I think it would be a great implement for the pasture I mow occasionally and other mowing needs as well. I have the 60" mid mount mower deck, but I'd really like a flail mower for the harder mowing jobs. A rotary cutter sticks out so far behind the tractor, its not really a good implement in tight spaces, flail mower don't stick out nearly as far and I don't care to mow down trees, everything I cut is light brush, but mostly grass and weeds. So the flail mower would work fine, just need the funds to get one LOL.

I live in Telluride and we have them in big groups all around the outer areas of town. We’re quite a distance from some of the popular areas for hunting. Safe travels coming out. And good luck on your hunt.

Amazing job on that field, loved the drone view it added real perspective on the area. Really nice and clean after the cut!

I have a similar log splitter like your splitfire. One of the best things I did was having a welder weld me two wings on the main splitter blade angle to make contact before the main splitter blade. To avoid the log from splitting immediately and having to pick up the two pieces. With those wings I could pick up the log start crushing and go to the split pile without them falling off prematurely. Ending up with four perfect manageable pieces. Not a "you should" comment. But just my experience and what works perfectly for me.

sxs trail riding out west is awesome, nothing like east coast trails and private land. Out west we have tons of BLM land with lots of riding, Silverton Co and the Alpine loop trail is one of my favorites.

Hey Mike. Nice job . Thanks for sharing. I’ll bet it’s fun to run that ? Craig Hollidaysburg

If you like Trees, Mountains & Water, you should visit the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area!!!

After church I am mowing my 5.3 acres....2 large fields and yard around the house, barn and garden. I use a Simplicity 24hp garden tractor. It takes me 3 1/2 hours.

Yeah thinking most of the heat is behind us now. ❤

That thing is great! Love the job it did in that field 👏! I'd love to have one of those! Great to you blow off the machine after you finish! Don't need to spread any more invasive species than possible. Great job Mike!

It's good that you have all those attachments. You will find a flail mower won't cut a shaggy mess like this. I love my flail mower but there are jobs that call for a brush cutter.

Like your trailer also not a big fan of the hydraulic tail would go for a tilt personally love the built in boxes on the top of the fenders.

Suggest renting someone else’s 4x4 in unknown area first time. It would be a terrible trip back if you damage your own equipment, and just an exciting story of how you lost your deposit from damaging rental equipment. I’m excited for you, trip sounds excellent.

Nice view you had while cutting that field!!❤

Two acres in :90 is very good. I don't know how often you might do similar work, but if I were you I'd check to see if Vermeer has a detachable seat for such jobs.

Mike, that really is a beast. I have watched a few videos of landscape guys using the same one. Nice machine. As for your rain down there. We have it here in Ontario and Quebec now. Toronto and Montreal flooded. Chelsea Quebec lost their roads due to wash out. All the best with your grass issue. PS: fattening up the deer for the fall hunt is not so bad.

Good Morning Morgan Family 🌞- Have a Wonderful and Blessed Sunday 🤠 ✝️

While I really like that SplitFire splitter on the excavator, watching it in use is like watching paint dry.

I’m really thinking about getting one of those mini skids to be honest I thought they were a joke but you can really get stuff done with them you have made me a believer!

That thing is really a very cute little toy of a machine 🙂🙂. It has its place and uses for sure on very small areas and trails……. It’s perfect for you since lol you own are small open areas and a few trails…. For Folks that have large acreage and BIG JOBS it’s a waste of money for sure. Nice machine for those that just play at land care and farming. Kinda like buying your firewood poles pre limbed and delivered instead of going and getting them yourself.

I like my mini skid with my cutter mounted. Does take a little more time than a tractor, but, you dont have to stop and clean the radiator pre-screen!! Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day

Wonderful to visit with you again! May you and your whole family and your viewers have a blessed week.🪡🥧📚🫖🐈‍⬛🇺🇸

That mowing was very impressive and satisfying to watch

I’m interested to see which flail mower you ordered. I was on the brush hog today and I always wish I had something offset to get closer to the fence line and creek bank. Poison ivy and multiflora rose are the only things growing in East Ohio right now

I have always found it put a lot more hours per year on a cab dozer or skid steer than an open unit. The opens are very capable but the human factor comes in on a long day

Like a hot knife through butter; that was an awesome job!!! I know regular household vinegar is a good weed killer; try spraying that Stiltgrass with some vinegar and see if that does anything; you could even just do a test patch where you just mowed and see!!!

Good Sunday morning, Morgan's!! Thanks for the video. That mini skid is the best. Enjoy your Sunday!!

Every job done precisely and meticulously. 👍

Maybe check the run off from the stream- pond for...gold. Hey ! Lol

I might be repeating myself, but I really didn't think that little machine would amount to much. Pretty clear now, it is legit. You said " I like trees" I'm thinking Mike likes looking at trees the way the undertaker looks at us all. 😃

The cut material bunches up when the mower is in the front vs when it is in the rear. Thanks foir making this. I was consdiering buying one of these, but I dont know now. Would love to see how it handles brush.

Can't beat hydraulic driven accessories and sharp blades

Mike, here in Southern Lycoming County we were under the heaviest rain band from Debby. I measured 6 inches in 6 hours. In my 49 years in my home, I have never seen it come down that hard and fast. I had to dump the rain gauge at 10AM when it got to 5 inches. We already had 3 inches that week ahead of the tropical storm. One person is still missing that was swept away by raging flood waters, somewhere North of Williamsport.

Everybody's favorite neighbor. Mow the trail so your neighbors friends can park at your place and walk over. Very nice in every way.

Fantastic!

I was just thinking about the growth at Camp Morgan. It is amazing really and well deserved. Hope everyone had a great weekend and has a good upcoming week. Stay safe everybody

Might be a good idea to drag the side kick out on the Elk hunt? Might be nice to have to bring your Elk kill out of the woods back to truck

Jenny Lake is beautiful, just got back from there in July and Yellowstone National Park. Pictures doesn't do it justice for sure.

I've run Moab on a number occasions and it can be pretty intense. Wait until you try "No Left Turn"...

If moab is slightly sketchy for you or melissa, consider the paiute trial system. It's in the mountains and unbelievable scenery just west of moab. I traveled there maybe 6 times so far. Still more to see. All the little towns are atv friendly. And not as hot as moab. I would bring your side by side as it's cold above 10k elevation.

We left Cody Wy on Friday pulling our fifth with my Duramax Denali. From Cody to Sheridan, going over the Big Horns, we averaged 11.2 MPG. That was driving 70 until the mountain overpass. The pass is just over 9000 ft. Mileage dropped after Sheridan as we were going 75 into a headwind.

I was impressed with that Vermeer machine and how it worked on that tall field. One of the things that I don't think you have mentioned is how this is on your legs and your back when you're standing on this machine for a lengthy amount of time

Look for old Club Car with a utility bed you can just dedicate for the wood yard put all your stuff in. Works great for me

The mini skid is true to the original story for developing the first skid steer prototype to clean out a turkey barn. Small light and maneuverable.

That little skid steer is amazing. 😎👍🏻

Mike you have gotten really smooth operating your equipment 😊

good job!

GOOOOOOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE!!! Late catching this video due to a golfing event this morning….Mike you weren’t lying 🤥 about using that mini skid more than any of your other equipment…& I can see why…. WOW 😮 Catch yinz on the next one Have a day HELLOOOO HUNTER!!😊

When we used to plant winter rye, we attached a heavy duty chain behind the grain drill. works perfectly.

Can’t wait to hear about your elk hunting adventures!

Good morning Morgans! I've been watching you use the split fire on the excavator for some time now. You have gone to another level operating it. It's like a very powerful extension of your arms.

Hi Mike, This past week I had twelve giant, dying trees around my house removed. An eight man crew with a ton of equipment worked for three days. What a show! Now, I own a skid steer. But that little Vermeer really impressed me! It's got me thinkin' it does. BTW, My wife hates you! 😂 Shalom/gw