The Tale of Three Different Log Splitters 

If they don’t understand the utility of that implement - either they don’t do firewood - or they are young and can sling 150 rounds all day/don’t see the point in it. I had never seen or heard of that until your previous video - and it took me a few seconds to understand - but once I realized what you were doing - it became clear what a smart/back saving idea it is. I think your three methods compliment each other. You have my dream operation there Mike. I think it’s well thought out and very efficient. Thanks, as always for sharing… Best to you and yours… Pats for the pups.

Great video Mike with the explanation for those who needed it. I will be 70 in August, and now more than ever I am looking for ways to save my back and overall health in many different ways. I'm fortunate to be able to work in a well ventilated old barn with my pro 28c, box store vertical splitter and Amish bundler. I use crates with casters to easily move misc heavy items around using a dolly. Everyone's situation/application is different and do what it takes to make things work for that person. Have a day. obie

Mike, I totally agree with you on doing things differently as we get older. I'm 62 and just had reverse shoulder replacement surgery which allowed me to get all caught up with your videos. Things that I used to be able to do myself now requires someone else to help me. Fortunately, I have a great son, who will drop whatever he's doing and help me. If I may offer a piece of advice, look into a LogOX 3-in-1 forestry tool. My son and I both have one and swear by them. It's a real back saver. If you get one also get the side holster. It will make the tool very accessible when you need it. I'm a fellow Pennsylvanian, (York), and have a daughter that just graduated from WVU with a masters degree. One time when we were down there visiting, my daughter and a bunch of other kids piled in the back of a pickup. I told her that it was illegal. She promptly told me that it was legal in WV. I love that state. Melissa was right when she spoke about freedom in WV. I wish I could retire there, but it's too cold for the wife.

Very good Mike. I'd never criticize a man for working smarter, not harder. I've lived w back pain since '77. I HAVE to not lift heavy! Actually, the last time it went out was not from lifting. I walked up to washing machine. Placed my right hand on it and w my left hand, I opened the dryer and stuck my arm in to see if clothes were completely dry. Bam! I couldn't stand up straight for 3 days and then I still walked funny because of the pain. If I was 40 years younger I'd get an operation, but I'm just too far gone today for that. But I strongly suggest that if a man has the means to work wout injuring his back, well why wouldn't he? Smarter not harder. You get lots of excercise wout strain on lower back. SMART. You know, not everyone can afford or will spend the money, but I think you've got the best setup for what you need. Kudos Mike, and thanks for another great video!👍🚜❤🇺🇸🇺🇸

A tale of three different log-splitters: Three different log-splitters went into a wood-yard one night. They weren't looking for trouble, just a few "cut-ups" looking for a good time. They just hung out until it was time to split. The one thing they had in common was they they were all part of the same splitter-group! ;-) Greetings from Dartmouth from Dartmouth NS where we are finally expecting our first "significant" snowfall of the winter only about 6 - 8 inches if that!

Hey Mike, great explanation of your splitter usage. Up until about a month ago, I had been splitting everything by hand using an axe I bought off Instragram from a buddy of Buckin' Billy Ray's who makes custom axes. I'd also been saving up for a Splitfire 2265 with a log lift, but I came across an Oregon 30T convertible unit at Lowe's that was on sale at about half the price, and I decided to bring it home. I use it in horizontal mode mostly, like you use your Wolf Ridge. The Oregon is slower than yours and only single wedge, but overall much less work than swinging the axe on gnarly red oak. For the bigger rounds, 24"-30", I split a few switching the Oregon to vertical mode so that I just needed to roll and scoot the round up under the wedge. But manhandling a 300+ lb round isn't any fun, and neither is working mostly bent over. So now what I do is just hand-split the bigger rounds into halves or quarters with my trusty Tasmanian and then just heft 'em up onto the splitter in horizontal mode. For me, it's net less effort and substantially less wear-and-tear on my back. Next project for the spring is to build a big shed to hold several cords of firewood, park my little Swiss-Army-Tractor and all of its accoutrement, a couple of enclosed trailers, and maybe a project vehicle or two. Cheers!

I’m with you Mike. I’ve gone from being that little train that always said “I think I can, I think I can”, too “nope not doing it like that anymore “lol. I think your setup is the cats meow👍

So Good to see that Pin go back in the Bucket so easily.

Yes, less back bending. I never thought about retiring and not being able to do what I used to do. JD compact utility tractor with bucket, pallet forks, and grapple help a lot.

Very good summary Mike as always. It's very clear why you use three different splitter options. Quick question, how much does a 24-inch round of hardwood actually weigh? Yes of course, how much moisture is in it matters a lot right. You taught us that one. Just curious. Feed our curiosity again please. Thanks for the great content! Yes, we're all getting older and remember the days of our youth when we could do three times as much in a day compared to now. However, after mid-50s were a lot smarter to. We've learned the Mantra... work smarter not harder by then. 😊

Great video Mike, your variety of splitters makes your operation very efficient and whatever makes it easier for you means you can do it longer which means more $$$$'s, love you guys

MIKE, thanks for the explanation,and it's a good thing that those splitters are all different colors! It helps ! Blue fer bundles. Orange for Crush, and Red for, ah...ah.. "you know the thing" !!!

nice of you to explain what most people easily know.

Great explanation of the uses for each of your splitters.

Great video Mike!, I agree with you on the splitters!. For 35 years I split by hand and with just a good old slow splitter, with the splitters out there today is the difference of night and day!. I never had any back problems until this past year, but at 66 I'm still using a conventional splitter!. I'm thinking a split fire for the skid steer would be good!. Morgans good day!.

Mike , I love the split Force . I totally understand about the older we get . I will be 60 in April and I have a hard time doing my job . That is why I am retrieving 1 May this year !!!

Obviously your three splitters compliment each other. I don’t know why anyone is confused about it. Keep up the good work!

I’m a sidewalk chalk guy too, I have a few bright orange painted dowel rods that are 15.5” long and is much easier to move and mark Vs a tape measure. I also just won a Pro Sizer from another channel and that seems to have some nice features as well.

I've watched some video's from 3 and 4 years. It's amazing to see how much the wood yard has changed, and just how far you have came.

Hello Morgans! Different strokes for different folks! You have an excellent setup! Thanks for sharing with us! Keep up the great work! Go bless you all!🙏🇺🇲🙏🇺🇲🙏🇺🇲

That's a very good explanation on the log splitters, and another concern is storage space where the wolf ridge might make more sense. Thanks again John

oh no, Mike. Your intro just guaranteed February will be brutal!

I like the way you've set up your woodyard!! Saving up for a conveyor. Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day

I think you have all the best toys for making firewood

A couple of questions regarding your firewood splitting operation: 1. Have you looked into getting that firewood round table that I believe All Wood Log Splitters makes ? It fits either over or next to the log splitter. Just have to use the bucket on a skid steer or a tractor, and dump the firewood rounds onto the table. Then just pull the rounds off the table and onto the wood splitter . It looks like it would save a lot of time , and wear and tear by not having to move the heavy rounds by hand. 2. Do you have a firewood screener that you can hook up to the conveyor?

Interesting production. I don't sell firewood, but cut and split about 5 cords a year for an outdoor wood boiler/water stove. My splitter is a Northern Tool 30 Ton with a few modifications that I've had for 10 yrs and used just last week. It works in both the horizontal and vertical. With the big rounds, I use it in the vertical. It does give a good workout splitting those. Update: I elected to go with a Wolferidge 28C. I'm not getting any younger and need the log lift along with faster cycle times.

hi from Oklahoma, tell Hunter and all the Morgans (including the four legged ones) hi for me and I love the new wheels. as we get older hopefully we acquire some smarts and understand the old adage of "work smarter - not harder" and you seem to take that to heart. love all you do around the homestead and the way you explain what and why you do it. hope you all have a great day every day.

Hey Mike Great Job !nice explanation and showing the different splitters and systems!

I can’t see how anyone could brave enough or have the nerve to tell you your doing it wrong. Its your workspace, your wood, your equipment and your idea how to do things. Your a smart man Mike, great ideas on whatever you do. When you have a question you ask the audience if they have suggestions. Otherwise the people that speak out need to write there idea down fold it up and put in their pocket. They probably never even used the equipment your using. I think and they should know by what you have in place is the ideal way of doing things “Your Way”, not wrench heads way. I bet you laugh all the time about comments. Mikes way or the Highway. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us Mike. I learn a lot.

Happy Birthday tomorrow Melissa Morgan!

Happy birthday Melissa we wish you many more happy and healthy years. Hope you have a wonderful day 💓💓😘💓

Mike, I think you are excellent at explaining things. I saw a Palazzo (sp?) machine that you just put the rounds in and that's it. It splits them all up for you and whatever size you like. I love the set up you have.

The only log splitter I have is a little 5 or 7 ton electric one I got from Harbor Freight almost 5 years ago. It works great, I only use it a few days a year, makes no sense having one of those big gas powered log splitters taking up a bunch of space that only sees a few hours of use each year. Sure if I were cutting/splitting firewood to sell, a nice fancy log splitter would be nice, but I don't do that, so no need wasting the money. For what Mike does, he could run a couple splitters at a time if he ever wanted to get his family involved more....but when he's selling firewood by the cord, you gotta have the heavier duty equipment to keep up with the demand, and splitting firewood isn't as easy as people think, its hard on a log splitter, hard on the chainsaws, etc.

Here in our part of west MI, we usually get about 100" of snow for the winter. The past 2 years we've only gotten about 50". So far this winter I don't think we've even had 20". I miss our winters!! My favorite was the blizzard in Jan. of 1978.

Mike, have you looked at the Skid Steer log splitter attachment I mentioned to you in previous comments? It does everything you described you do with three different splitters plus CUTS the log to exact length without leaving the heated cab. You can pick up a whole log, sort threw a pile, then set the stop to the length you want your cuts, cut the log with the built in chainsaw, & split the wood with either a 4 way or six way splitter. You can hover the log over a trailer as you cut and split the wood eliminating the need to Handel the wood. You can find videos on RU-vid to see one in action. It cuts up to 22” logs. RU-vid channel “C&C equipment” has a good video on one

Very mild winter here too with the exception of that one deep freeze at Christmas time. I think we will get at least one more artic blast here in the next month.

I love walk-around for days and exploring and looking RV motorhomes Tampa RV show 2023 it's opened yesterday

Mike - you are a lucky dog. My big excitment today is puting the garbage cans out, Have a day.

I think that the split force could give the wolf ridge a run for production if you were only quartering the rounds to make bigger firewood. It is great for being able to make the smaller splits for bundles, but you have not really used it for making larger splits. Would be interesting to have a helper and run both side by side. Of course the super size convey into the massive wood bunker is a big advantage on the larger production runs, but nearly all the wood seems to ultimately end up in tote baskets anyway so the bunker is larger temporary storage.

Am sure of that Mike too. And am sure that you will start seeing the Buds on the trees by mid February. And that is one of those things that I always look for. And to tell me when Spring is coming.

Good morning Folks. Proof is in the pudding. Your process is working for You. You're a gentleman premium firewood producer! Folks give the man a break. He's got His stuff in one basket. Love Your channel!

Hello mike , troy here, there is a oll dead tree in the back ground at the 8 minute , just saying I believe you could bring that tree back to life, or at least help sustain life, you are the man.

I enjoy your log splitting videos. I understood the difference between your splitters!

You mite want to think about putting some treated lumber on the bottom of that Split Force splitter stand. Sooner or later even powder coat paint will wear threw to bear metal. Oh yea , when are you going to put one of those Simplisafe security cameras down where the egg sales take place ?? lol

Good Morning Morgan Family!

Mornin, Mike I think you do just fine always trying to get the topic of your videos across, and as far as not being able to work as hard as when you were younger......well....NOW you realize the wisdom of the old saying, "Work smarter, not harder!"

Great Video Mike!! Keep Smiling On!! 😀👍👊❤

You should have taken Andrew Easton up on his offer to put an Eastonmade Firewood processor in your woodyard. That would fill up that bunker in a hurry! Dave

Good morning , God bless you all & have a blessed day

Most likely no snow. Goes to you getting new snow blower and tractor with heated cab. Love the video’s

You've got a sweet setup no doubt. I watch other channels that process firewood and they aren't nearly as organized and seems to make a huge mess but at least they are having fun right? LOL

I keep forgetting. In like your choices in music. The opening selection is great. so great how Dogs love to ride even for several feet. It takes proper tools to perform tasks. You can use a pipe wrench to install a light switch. I also found that hydraulics will do nearly everything and save my bad back. Bad from all the manual methods of working.

Mike , you ability to operate the excavator is inspiring, it's like an extension of your arm and hand.

Mike you’ve obviously got a great firewood setup there. I too have always loved falling timber and cutting firewood. Cool video 👍❤️

This video is very interesting in that I agree that the comments sometimes makes me wonder if I watched the same video they watched from the comments made. However, if you are not familiar with what you are doing then it explains a lot of the comments. I enjoy all your videos and hope you continue to produce them as often as you are able. I love the outdoors and I always say that if wood cutting, dirt moving, gravel moving or mowing, weed eating is involved I am in.

Great video Mike! I like the idea of the vertical splitter, being able to go from making boiler wood to bundle wood all form the same firewood round would be great.

Work smarter not harder. Possibly the best thing I was ever told.

My wife would like the spltforce, she likes to have a precise split. I would prefer the WR. Unfortunately we don’t process enough to make either one of them a good investment. Nice video!

No Mike You have been Very good in telling Us on How, What, Where, and When. And that is all We need to know about all of the things that You and Melissa Do. So don't change a Thing.

Like you I used to measure my firewood with a tape. I now use a measuring stick shaped like a carpenters framing square with one end 16 inches. I just move it along the log and mark every 16 inches. No more measuring tape that wants to fall off or come unhooked.

Love you, Mike. Thanks for doing what you do.

Your logic is spot on Mike ,i guess some people have no idea how much those big rounds weigh, maybe you should mention it. I am sure that a 36 inch oak round is easily 200 plus pounds and as we get older things get heavier by the day .lol. I will be 70 this year and i don't know when 40 pounds became a hundred.

Hey Mike, have you thought about splitting the bundle wood into the dump bed on the high boy instead of the trailer or is the bed too small for that? I'd think that would be easier to back into the building than the trailer

Mike, With your setup. I think I wood sale my splitting maul in a yard sale. I am a couple years younger but can't even do what you do. Thanks again for inspiring me to be more active.

Good morning Mike and Melissa, you explained the splitters perfectly. The Johnnie come lately's will give you the same questions all over again and a quick reference to this videos number would work. You folks are doing a great job with all your videos and the way you do things, people just need to watch the complete video before judging what you are doing. Thanks for sharing with us , keep up the good work and videos and keep having fun. Fred.

Chicago here- no winter here either 🤷‍♂️

Since I’ve been watching you picking up logs with your excavator. I borrowed my neighbors excavator and tried it, definitely a game changer. No more bending over. We are going to build a splitter for the excavator similar to your split force. I have a splitter for my skid steer and it works great for them big rounds, but like you said is slow.

Great opening!

I’d also love to add a vertical style splitter to my operation as well as possibly a kinetic splitter just to see how well they do.

My neighbor has a DYNA Firewod Processor. not sure of the model, but probably a SC 15. He's had it for at least 8 years. He processes about 200 cords annually.

Awesome videos Mike,hello from Ontario 🇨🇦 Canada.

Morning Mike. Great video! Watching you produce the primo firewood that you do has really spoiled me. The last wood we bought I got from a local tree service. It is junk compared to what you produce. We live south of Abilene TX, and I have just retired. I may have to plan a trip to PA sometime this year just to see the sights, meet the Morgan family, and bring home a tote of decent wood. LOL! Have a day!

I just can’t wait to see your new sawmill

Hate to say it you have went from small pieces coming out of the woods. to having lots of nice logs. You should just get a log processer. a lot faster if you have logs by far. you have all the equipment. Just keep the split force for specialty wood. love the channel you guys are great.

Enjoyed the video! KC Don 😉

We have lot of winter left to go. The big snows usually happen in February and March. I live in York Pa.

Not really a winter in S.Wi, more like mud season.

Morning Mike, you can use your new Polaris 850 to move your log splitter.

According to our weatherman, you are supposed to get a winter storm on the 23rd of January which is next Monday. Keep warm.

Another great video ! Thank You !

Another advantage for the Wolfe Ridge is speed of transport between sites

Whatever works for you is the best way to do it. Great explanations on all three wood splitters. Stay safe.

Mike, it's common sense that the splitfire is for the super large rounds, and oh by the way, you are excellent at explaining what you are doing. Sometime, when you get a round tuit, show us how you sharpen your chains. Your saws always cut like you just put a new chain on. Have a day!! Jay from Pa.

ANOTHER GREAT CONTENT VID MIKE!!!!!!!!! HI TO HUNTER AND ALL THE MORGANS!

That log splitter is awesome 😀😀😀😯😉😈😈😈😈😈

Good morning Mike Hope you and the family are having a good week I thought I would never slow down but you are right eventually you say OK 👌

Dang at 0:56 reminds me how much I miss my Golden

i get it about the age slowing you down. 55 as well. i did get a new log spliter that can cut both ways. but that still can be rough on the back for sure..

Moving the split force around the wood bunker will allow you to fill in the corners with the wolf ridge making pile in middle. One crew of two on each and will fill that bunker fast.

Greetings from the UK we seam to have very similar weather to you very little snow a few frosty days and lots of rain

Have you thought about the halverson. Looks like the way to go to me. Put it on the excavator or skid steer.

I have a home built vertical splitter with a large table but doesn't have a conveyor . I'm usually by myself so after splitting a few chunks I can just turn around and stack it right in a tote. Ive been thinking of building a splitter for my mini excavator for big stuff but I've been cutting alot of tops leftover from the loggers so don't have much big stuff .

Wish I could have seen You Mike back in your Blasting Days. But of course there was No internet then. But am sure that Job really kept you very busy.

You have got a good business going now.

I do agree, as you get older you want to do things easier, may take a tad longer but you’re not busting your back. Great work 👍

That splitter stand needs some straps or something so it can be attached to the splitter so you can carry the stand to where your using it.

Those logs at the 12:30 mark would be ideal for Andrew Easton to send one of his processors down for you to try!

That quick loader on your tractor is so nice u said. I bet you need a quick coupler on your excavator

Good morning Good people, it was 66° this morning in the Florida Keys 👊

If the 4th of July means summer is almost over, then does Christmas mean that winter is about over???