Guy Saved me $8,000 Dollars, IBC Tote, Discovered a Better Way!

Today we are one step closer to perfecting the use of IBC Totes for Firewood. #smallbusiness #firewood #sidehustle
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[@JRHammer64]

I do something very similar with the front of my totes. Plus I set my totes up on a 20 inch high table made out of pallets and that gets that top bar out of your way. Table is just over 8 feet long, not too heavy to scoot around and it will hold two totes side by side 😊

[@JRHammer64]

I have also been trying to work something out with a carabiner and turnbuckle, I even tried those small cam chain binders……….still tweaking that idea though lol

[@mmengyan]

If someone below has not already commented : I think you could retrofit your cut totes by using aluminum pipe that slips over the cut top rail ends and secure with bolts, then cut to the bottom as you displayed. A weld to the cut ends would also work. This would restore the structural integrity of the tote.

[@gregciesielski1645]

Mike, instead of using chain to attach your carabiner (hooks) to, try drilling two holes in your forklift cage and add heavy duty eyebolts. This way you snap the carabiner into the eyebolt, and nothing is loose and rattling. I think that would be better than chain. Love the channel, keep up the great videos!

[@TOOLMAN4hvac]

Best ideal so far, I second this motion👍

[@caseyspradlin1462]

When I first started watching y’all, I had no idea how much we have in common. Please keep saying what you want to say & doing what you want to do.

[@emptyheadbiden8698]

Wow when was your first gay experience?

[@joshb8302]

To help with the bending of the IBC after you hook the chain or whatever you decide try backing up to take the slack out of the chain. It's that initial fall and slam that'll do the damage.

[@davidbishop4015]

Great video Mike. You've made a lot of progress in 5 years. Keep moving forward. Stay safe. Glad you all are better and Hunter is well also.

[@jimquick]

Hello Morgans! Love your content. I am 89 years old and grew up on a farm in South Carolina. We had a sawmill and two strong mules to pull the logs to the sawmill. My job at the mill was to stack the slabs. Love the clearing that you have done. We always called it new ground. If my dad and Grand Father would have the equipment that you have, no trees would have been left. They always wanted to plant more crops. I am a retired minister of 60 years and a proud VET. Dr. James E Quick

[@ronniebrue7875]

I've been watching the channel for about a month now and really like it, but after seeing the beginning of this one and he as ring your comments about brushing your teeth and our current "president ", this is now one of my top, favorite channels. Love it!!!

[@dandaniels4558]

Huge time saver doing it the new way to Mike. You are a trend setter Mike. You started the IBC TOTE trend for firewood storage and delivery. Thanks that was really interesting.

[@johnsadler8637]

Greetings OWTM! Cool to see the history of IBC totes with firewood, and to realize your place in getting the method onto KZbin. I remember watching that video, about 6 months after discovering your channel. Yes, things are far different now, both there in your space and out west in my western Ozarks farm. Both are much more functional and just nicer for the uses to which we need to put them. Congratulations on that, and thanks for the walk down the memories to remind us.

[@BENNHENDRICKS33]

You’re a man of integrity.i respect it. Also funny how many people make videos like yours you can tell they copy you. Originality on KZbin is lost. Let’s go Brandon !

[@452Boatman]

Mike, I dont watch your videos because I think all your cool equipment is fun to look at. I dont watch because I enjoy watching a youtuber succeed the way you have. I watch because I love your stories and points of view you share. The "who you voted for the last President" comment was epic. Thank you for sending me to the floor in laughter. LMAO!!!!

[@AshesC2]

What a great idea cutting the bottom. To attach, add an eye-bolt to the back plate of the fork assembly. There is already a hole in the top plate. Then attach the carabiners to each side. Reach out and attach. As always enjoy your videos.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Good morning Mike, sure glad to hear The Huntman and the new Grandbaby are both doing well. Hope you get the totes perfected and working safely too. You all enjoy coming into next month and having things where you can not rush around to get ready for Christmas around there. Catch a second breath while you can. Best wishes to all. Fred.

[@KillingerUSA]

Bought my IBC totes because of your first video on IBC totes. Perfect for firewood

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

How are things? How you been?

[@grpcchurchnortonva.8024]

❤ the comment about the wood drying and the president... preach it Mike 🙌 👏 🙏

[@MikeZMonroe]

Agree on the new tote idea. When you mentioned a rotating devise to tip firewood into the wagon I felt a bit of over kill. Your viewers idea on new cut out very simple / logical. Might consider a removable top rail for wood removal and refasten for support. Refasten is the next challenge 😊

[@charlieames4966]

Mike, I rarely comment on any of the videos. but I watch you all the time and really do enjoy your content! I have to tell you your president's comment was spot on and I busted out laughing !

[@jasonmckinley7320]

OMG, this one of the greatest video! Your jokes are OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!! Gotta love PA humor.

[@bwillan]

That new method of cutting an IBC tote for firewood, certainly is a great improvement over what everyone else does.

[@richardfredenburg5619]

I love when Mike sprinkles in a little bit of his views on the current administrations policies.😂👍

[@barbaraann9754]

Yes, very subtle, but effective! I love it too when he tells the truth! :)

[@davidevans3175]

Me too.

[@Youtubsucks5]

Yea FJB😊

[@pierremcculloch9971]

Yea fdt

[@juleswinnfield826]

​@@pierremcculloch9971FJT

[@darz3]

Great idea on the IBCs , you should be able to retrofit your existing baskets quite easily to the new system

[@josephforgione6207]

That is a great idea. I’ll have to remember this IBC tote modification. I can usually count on learning something from your channel.

[@runeare1]

ODWTM was my first exposure to the totes. Took me a couple years to get on board but now I load (no stacking)and feed right out of the totes. I remove a section of my deck railing in the fall and place a tote filled with fire wood as needed Thanks for the info Mike they work great for me

[@DudeRanchDIY]

Well done Mike, your videos on IBC totes for firewood inspired me to start my channel years ago, saw a lot of my thumbnails as you were scrolling! I have videos with the entire face cut out but never left the top bar due to the obstruction when stacking, looks to be a non-issue. I now have about 175 of them and just load them off the conveyor. I enjoy your content.

[@theenginehousegarage1485]

Go Hunter! I was always a "go to work at all costs" person, and would be sick for days and sometimes weeks at a time. I adopted the 'Hunter method' a few years ago, and it really works! I still hate to miss work, but I figure one day of no productivity is still more productive than a few days or a week of running at half (or less) speed...

[@briantaylor9266]

Not to mention the loss of productivity of those that you may spread an infection to.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

One thing I love about having a KZbin channel is how much I learn from the viewer. such as how you just learned this method. The firewood game seems to always be evolving and KZbin is a huge part of it. I remember watching some of your first videos including the Ibc tote videos.

[@diyjeff1838]

Lol. Mike with the zingers and facts!!

[@kevincameron8437]

Mike, you could just make a single chain lanyard that would clip onto the side corners of each tote and that would go over the fork attachment. You would still have to get out for each one, but it would be a simple way to secure to the skid steer. I hope this makes sense.

[@loritester4454]

Hello Mike, johnny from Tenn . hook closer to bottom of tote and tighter to back of forks u will get a better and quicker dump .just a thought . Love the show keep up the good work .

[@matthewjenson4344]

Hey Mike, Maybe try drilling/ torching a hole and putting a bolt at the end of each fork that only sticks up 1 to 2 inches so you can still get your forks through the fork pockets on the totes but then it will catch the tote when dumping. As long as you don’t have to shake the tote it should stay in place.

[@wadeduggin1549]

I was thinking the same idea with holes in the fork tip . My idea was drilling and tapping maybe as big as a 1/2” and once it’s threaded cut the bottom of the bolt off flush . That way you would only contend with the bolt head on top and the bottom of the fork would be smooth. And you could just impact the bolt out when not in use .

[@MrHubbard738]

Another good and interesting video, I like it when you go back in history and show us something. I have when't back and watched a lot of your first video's on youtube. And just like we all do you have greatly improved your making of new video's. You know the old saying practice makes perfect is so true. Thanks Mike !

[@tedsmith4353]

I also took a trip down memory lane last night trying to remember which video got me hooked. I'm still not sure but it was watching a Lady with a big smile and loading fire wood. The MIGHTY Mellisa☺

[@johnpowell2431]

Looks like your idea is going to work perfectly. Since the bottom slid out I would think if you connected your 2 hooks lower by at least one bar it should help to prevent that.

[@davidmorse8432]

Hooking lower would work much better.

[@jamorjr1]

much better support thereby lengthening the life span of the tote.@@davidmorse8432

[@richardh.severn5980]

Sure..... Hook it down as far as you can reach from the cab. The whole idea is to NOT have to get out to do it.

[@kumagg]

I think that tow truck hooks like on a rollback would work like you suggest. Mike could mount them to the fork carriage or drill and add some threaded eye bolts to attach them for a quick-release system.

[@jdelbrid]

Good idea with the IBC tote. My thought on strapping is to use flat straps that can be left on the totes and hooked to whatever equipment you use, as needed. I think connecting these to the bottoms and tops (both sides), would make the process more stable and would allow less bending and more stability. As for Starship 2's catastrophic failure, the initial thoughts from the pundits was that it was the self destruct mode that caused it. After further review it appears to be a result of the new procedure they used for 2nd stage separation. It is called "hot staging" where they start the MVAC engines on the 2nd stage, prior to separation. This likely caused leaks in fuel lines, on the 1st stage, that escalated quickly. By the way, Space X just launched and landed the 175th consecutive booster rocket.

[@PathfinderExcavating]

12:23 That's me! Although my video was just showing how I use IBC tote covers to enclose my open cab excavator lol Great Vid Mike, thanks for sharing that. Good luck hunting. We are out as well in NE Ohio.

[@russellbowman8051]

Thanks Mike!! Keep Smiling On!! 😀👍👊❤️

[@daveflanigan2860]

Hello Mike, try cutting the top bar off and making a bolt in bar at the top. This way you can fill it easier, then bolt in the top bar to make it rigid for moving it and dumping. Also, try cliping the chain hold down a ring lower. This should help hold the bottom of the basket better? Just a thought? Thanks for the video!!!

[@TheSnakeman3]

Love the analogies Mike. It would be nice to have a hook on the end of each fork that stops the tote from sliding forward.

[@OhioHillTopsHobbyFarm]

Leading the way Mike! I always enjoy your great ideas. Thanks for sharing them with us, take care!

[@jaywuchner9342]

Hey Mike, how about reinforcing the back of the tote with a 2x12 that would attach to the back with some U bolts. I think the extra rigidity would help over the long run in keeping the totes from fatigue on the back side.

[@madsciencegary3830]

If you are able to chain closer to the bottom from behind, it will keep the tote from rotating out on the bottom and stay on the forks better. That may be harder to do though. I'd love to come up with a locking clamp for the forks that you could slide into and catch/release from behind.

[@johnsmith-xr6qy]

Mike, I have closed my fire place and use propane. Back when I was cutting & burning wood, I put casters on my tote. After loading in the wood, I rolled the tote around & used the skid steer to move it to the carport (across grass) but then roll up to the door and back out of the way when not needed. Casters (2 wheels & 2 casters) make a tote easy to move & store.

[@dd4848123123]

My hats off to Joe from Ohio. I’ve been waiting for a long time for Mike to like someone else ideal.

[@westonpterry1348]

Mike, the new improved method for your totes looks like it will work well. Just wondering, have you considered some sort of a hydraulic locking mechanism for the tote that could be engaged and dis-engaged from the heated comfort of the cab? Another suggestion if you're looking for added safety / convenience, is to upgrade your Kubota SVL97 to the JCB skidsteer 3TS-8T. The single arm telescoping boom and the side door access are game changers. Best to you.

[@grst50]

great idea westonpterry1348 . Skidsteer already has remote hydraulics to operate grapple. All he has to do is figure out how to make some miniature grapples that would hook over top rail of basket

[@darylcompton3433]

I was thinking something similar but maybe electric actuator with hooks on end. Remote control fob ?

[@BenHancock-uj7uq]

It looked to me like you need to use a shorter hook and to hook it up as low as possible to keep the tote from sliding off the forks. And also be sure and eliminate and sharp edges under that top rail, that could leave a nasty gouge in your gourd.

[@BG-vq9fd]

I think I have mentioned this before. I bought 1 IBC tote for a man lift. The guy I bought it from probably had hundreds sitting in his yard. He suggested leaving the top ring on and just cut a hole in the side. My neighbor was always using his little Kubota as a "ladder". He raised the bucket and got on the hood to climb into the bucket. I sometimes lifted him and I thought the basket would be "safer". I asked him how big a hole he wanted. He climbed a few rungs and hopped in.

[@bretroberts5013]

Great video Mike, especially liked the zingers on the current state of affairs in D.C.. I think a sling weaved through the tote and attached to the loader at the top and bottom would distribute the weight and alleviate the bending. Harbor Freight has some decent ones.

[@davidmorse8432]

Hello! 😊 You used to call the wood yard the, "Renewable Resources Processing Center". What a mouthful!

[@badcat4707]

Good morning David 👋😸😺

[@davidmorse8432]

​@@badcat4707Good Morning BadCat!

[@johnsadler8637]

Morning team!

[@HallnoutMhall]

Good morning fellas

[@waynebarnett7467]

Good morning all.

[@MoneypitHomestead]

Another great video, and you are on to something, I think! It was also cool to see 3 or 4 of the videos we have on IBC totes and the way we use them. Lisa, and I really do enjoy watching your channel, and you are the reason I started stacking our wood in IBC totes. It was also great to hear the Huntman quickly got over his cold or whatever he had. It was also great to hear an update on your new grandchild. Until next time, may God bless your days the way He always blesses ours! Donald and Lisa

[@jeffb2456]

Really enjoy your Hunter stories. He’s such a character!

[@davidgoen4331]

Your You Tube Channel is great the way it is. Leave out the politics.

[@keithpete6237]

The president comment was terrific!!

[@richardbrowne1679]

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

[@brucehesser8884]

Love the comment on the president 😅

[@jessel8833]

Great suggestion. Always good when heads come together to make innovations work for you! Make life easy -- work hard, make money, have fun. Remove as much of the bs as you can. Keep trucking brother!!

[@jamesclover1427]

I love it Mike !!! Keep up the Great Work! The comparison to things were fantastic.😀😀🤣🤣

[@wyoles3731]

If you you think we would have been better off with Trump running things I I’m subscribed to the wrong channel . .

[@genethompson1027]

❤

[@Outdoormaniac3123]

You can bet we wouldn't have a strain on our economy with the illegal alien catastrophe. And we'd all have more money in our savings. It isn't a global inflation problem Bidens policies inflicted high costs regardless of global economic changes

[@garyfjeldsted2020]

Your wright Mike about BIDEN WHAT A DISGRACE 🇩🇰

[@joegentile8409]

I appreciate the shout out. Thank you

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Thanks Joe

[@michaelmullins1290]

Pretty slick idea. I know you'll have it right soon. Hope the hunting is going good. And stay healthy as you can.

[@philipboyles2212]

You could put some 1/4" cable on each tote. Just two pieces, one on each of the back corners long enough to reach some hooks on the forks.

[@johna7704]

Mike glad to hear you saved money on modifying totes good for you. I also LOVED the shot on the presidential election. I had to play that back a couple of times. Still laughing hope you don't get a bunch of crap over that. Keep up the great work.🤣🤣

[@michaelwebb57]

Nice! Awesome video! Thanks for sharing! 😊

[@avalonhomestead9077]

Love it when you get fired up. Say what you think is the best way to be. Thanks for another good video.

[@ferguscampbell2485]

Hello Mike, I had not relied how long I had been following you on 'KZbin' until you got to the bottom of the list when you showed the article on weighing IBC Totes. I remembered seeing that program. Just an idea, I think you have a spare hydraulic circuit. Make a frame to clamp onto the back of your forks, with sliding or rotating "C" clips operated by hydraulic piston cylinder. All you need is two vertical plates to lock onto the vertical back of the forks with the two "C" clips projecting out of the front,one top and bottom, to clip onto one of the vertical rails on each side of the Tote. With the hydraulic ram connecting the two rows of "C" clips you would not have to leave the cab.

[@jeffmcauliff5315]

Mike so very well said about the clown in office ! Have a merry Christmas

[@gs9163]

On fire with the comments, love it. You don't need anything crazy to strap it, definitely not a chain. I just use one of those harbor freight orange straps that you just quickly pull to tighten. Quick and simple.

[@user-od5ij6jt8z]

i love your sarcastic humor! i thoroughly enjoy your channel..........g

[@allanstephenson9336]

Very good idea !! Way better and quick

[@Joefirefighter1971]

Hi Mike I love the conversation about the Huntman I also have a older son that needs some special attention I have learned so much over the years from him and yes mine and my sons relationship is pretty close to you and Huntmans ❤️

[@1944chevytruck]

AMAZING! CONGRATS!

[@BigTader]

Mike's on a roll I like it when he gets on a roll.

[@WIZ-IN-PA]

2:47 HAAAAA!!!!!! Exactly! I'm with you 100% on that Mike! 🤣🤣🤣 Harrisburg checking in.

[@johnsadler8637]

Concur. And drove by/through Harrisburg about 7:30 yesterday morning.

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

I’m w/ you on why didn’t I think of that. Seems the older I get this happens more (not less) often. Thanks for sharing this tip & for acknowledging where you learned it. Looks like the Medina way will be a great time saver. Being able to unclip the tote from the cab should also be a convenience. Climbing in & out is not getting easier w/ experience. Go figure.

[@constructionlife5059]

Glade i started watching you many years ago because i watch you build and grow. Cant wait to see where today will take you!

[@lillysfarmfirewood]

Mike, now i like this kind of video! All true points

[@m9ovich785]

I remember back when you had stacked rows in the Back LOL... Now that I have a Tractor that will Lift a Full 330 gal basket I started using them . Thanks Mike...

[@mr.redneck2715]

Love your comment!!!!😊. Funny how the people who work feel the same.

[@happycampers6701]

Great idea, even us old dogs can learn new tricks.

[@thomasbridenstine5562]

Enjoyed the humor in this one Mike. Keep em coming.

[@582ChevelleSS]

Another great video .. "Necessity is the Mother of Invention" ... that's what makes the world go round :)

[@911hydrantman]

I like the idea of the new IBC Totes modification! I have a suggestion for securing the tote to the forks, using chains I agree with, however, I would use open end hooks instead of clips, easier to remove, less moving parts. I would even go as far as making a 3 foot bar with 4 to 6 hooks mounted to it so you can just hook it up. By using a bar with hooks it would help to spread out the load to multiple points instead of just one or two points. Keep up the great work!

[@tennesseesawmillguy1590]

I’m glad we went to the totes. Helps with storage. Looks nice and tidy and we can leave some out for customers to load the wood into their trucks if we are not there.

[@toddpacheco4748]

Mike,another great 👍 video and explanation of how to get things done ✅ with ease and not fighting yourself with the task at hand 😮😊❤

[@stevecraig3004]

Gotta love those IBC totes! I understand they're good for dandruff, disappointment and dyspepsia as well.😂

[@barryhoneycutt3894]

Glad to hear everyone is doing better with the colds. You said something about Hunter not eating etc, well over the years i have seen in our family and other families, it is better not to eat when sick like that, your digestion system shuts down and focuses on the white blood cells, your immunity system. I saw that in our dogs over the years, no eating when sick, unless a little wild grass. Now my mom, rest her soul, you were getting home made chicken soup lol. Rest is crucial as well. Love the idea on the IBC totes, the best i have heard of to date. Instead of $8.000.00 your talking about $25.00 for hooks and chain WoW ... Love the channel Mike, always learn something, and see our extended family :)

[@iainbrown4945]

Its adorable that you still hand stack wood into the totes and then have to find an efficient way to tip them out again (?)

[@troywood5686]

You are in a mood today. Keep it going. Its refreshing to hear the real you.

[@robingreene8167]

Mike love your Wit. You are funny.

[@williamconway1287]

Hello Mike , On occasions like this when “ you “ say to yourself “ Why didn’t I think of this “ ? Which really doesn’t happen to me often , I just say to myself , thanks whoever and move on . I’m not saying you don’t say that or have to think or say it , it’s just I’m so happy for the answer I just enjoy the fruits !

[@alanburleigh7696]

I love it! Your jab

[@martineastburn3679]

I used to sleep off colds and whatnot. The body cures when it is asleep. Nice video - good idea on the tote and keep in mind (as normal) how it is used on the chain.

[@allanleepart647]

I pile my wood to cure on pallets with the conveyor. The air can flow under the pile and the wood cures through the pile with no issues. Then I load the dump trailer with the track hoe, large bucket and thumb. Saves any hand work. Just a thought for you. I do use totes for my own wood to haul to the house.

[@peteatthefarm4459]

Morning all from Ontario..... cool cloudy day... Pete 🇨🇦

[@badcat4707]

Good morning Pete 👋😸

[@peteatthefarm4459]

@@badcat4707 Morning badcat, heading into Ottawa for appointments etc.... not my favorite, but gotta do it...

[@user-ec7xg1qp3k]

Mike I think you should just weld a pice of chain on both sides of your forks with a hook on each one and have a chain long enough to go from one end of the IBC tote to the other and can hook to each hook on the forks, that would be simple and effective! Thanks for sharing another great video with us! Good luck in WV hunting! ✌🏼❤️🙏🏼

[@mariusj8542]

I took down three large trees this spring, around March, and cut and spread them out on a large stone driveway. Throughout the summer, I moved them around a couple of times and was diligent in covering them during rainy periods. Last month, I started stacking them on the terrace for use this winter. I did some random checks on the water content and found most of it around 15-19%, which is quite good at least considering the weather here in Norway. However, I noticed quite a few pieces that had water content similar to newly cut wood. So I agree, seasoning and stacking properly is the only way ( without a kiln) to achieving consistent quality.

[@johnkirby6547]

Glad to hear everyone is doing well. Very cool idea to cut them that way, haven't seen any videos on that yet.. But sure seems to work well.

[@zacharylockhart5107]

As a powertrain engineer for one of the largest auto manufacturers in the world, something I've noticed is that it is very easy when faced with a problem to jump to some expensive or elaborate solution. It's almost like your brain over thinks and over complications everything. But just taking a step back and thinking or getting good advice from other folks in the industry can sprout simple, cheap, and effective solutions. Most of the time the simplest solutions are the most effective. It hits you and you just think how in the world did I not see that!

[@pikelander7785]

Mr Morgan on fire today! Love it. Alright, back to work.

[@greggb1416]

Yessiree…, that new IBC tote modification, is “slicker than a pan o’ guts”…