#413

[@GaryGreenway]

Melissa, please get some sturdy boots for the woods. It would keep your feet from getting cut and help keep your ankle from getting twisted.

[@pkell7315]

She's to worried about Posing for the 📷 😆

[@bruceliem1888]

Thanks for the videos, so I havent read every comment not sure if anyone has suggested this. I recently did a table top slightly smaller in size but controlled the checking by splitting it in half Vertically across center, my plan was to run a strip of contrasting colored wood down the middle. So I ran all sides on a planer and did a glue up. Then to stop any further checking put about 5 coats of marine epoxy that I purchased from amazon. 2 part 1/2 gallon bottles of epoxy about $65. Hope this helps.

[@scottbigee]

I really enjoy your channel, and I've learned so much in just a few days from you guy's. May the Lord continue to bless and prosper you and your family even the more!!!!!

[@jean-francoismartin9905]

Good work guys you are my favorite you show good family values and are friendly to listen to, you don't pretend to know it all and I like that just ordinary people doing every day work around the property...keep up the good spirit and also not to forget say hello to hunter

[@mp3625]

Great that Hunter is part of your channel. So nice to see him helping you guys in his own way.

[@keithbrennan7429]

Thanks guys for another video. Happy to hear the doc appointment for Hunter went well. One thing to mention, as a viewer maybe. I think a lot of us know that non verbal isn't the same thing as non communicative. And it's obvious from the love and pride you both so clearly beam out that there's a lot of love communicated between all of you. The cross section looks amazing from that oak. Hope it seasons well for you.

[@MidwestGarage]

You're one of the few guys I see on this platform that truly runs a sharp chain every time. Great video Mike, keep 'em comin!

[@jameslemasters9792]

Seal the ends and put it somewhere dry then bury it in sawdust. The saw dust or wood shavings keeps the slab from drying to fast. A old friend showed me all the wood he had dried this way and it was check free. God bless you and your family.

[@ilmo2313]

Hi Hunter. Where are you? Tell your ma and pa that you want to be on #414 and wave "HI" to all of us.

[@pinrestore]

I built my own sawmill. It'll handle 36" diameter logs up to 14' long. Fun project and now I have maple and walnut boards drying in my barn. I use Anchorseal as well but I hear any old latex paint works just as well.

[@19Robert44]

Tell Hunter that we are proud of him, it is good that his mom and dad said that he did so well at the doctors office. It is always good to see people like the Morgans on the Tube. Keep the good work up.

[@richardpaire8425]

Hunter is so lucky to have you two for parents, able to smile at what you have been given and have a special life !

[@scottgage5937]

Kudos to both of you for your loving care for Hunter! Family is extremely important.

[@billusher1272]

I would like to say, thank you, for the insight on the RK tractors. After watching your videos, i went on a comparison adventure, comparing tractors of equal size of the RK55. I looked for all the items you pointed out and looked at the attachments. The price vs standard options on these tractors proved to be the buying points. We will be finalizing our purchase tomorrow. Can't wait!

[@elizabethdennis4582]

Love your channel Mike. The content is inspiring, educational and just great entertainment.That said, Melissa's cameos take it to another level. Our best to Hunter. You are special parents.

[@laytonmessiah8197]

instaBlaster...

[@cjm6271]

Hi, Hunter! Your Mom and Dad are very proud of you. I love it when they tell us stories about you. Do you like riding in the new truck? Thanks for sharing a little bit of your family with us.

[@Matt-zn4zp]

You the man Hunter!!! You guys are amazing and keep up the great work!! Always looking forward to more videos! Living the dream!!

[@231Outdoors]

Howdy Morgan family, I hope all is well. In order to prevent cracking the best method is to use a wood stabilizer called pentacryl. Fully soak the slab until it wont soak in any more solution, then apply anchor seal 😉

[@bradmullins229]

My hat is off to you regarding Hunter. The last 5.5 years my Mother lived with us. She had dementia and required 24-7 care. It is rough caring for family member but I would not have wanted it any other way. You Guys are awesome. -Brad

[@windwardpro]

Nice to see somebody admit and show on youtube that what they do doesn't always go to plan (even though they do a nice job in general). Hi Hunter!! You have some great parents.

[@geoffreyrobb8877]

I have to say you guys and Hunter really warm my heart ❤️. Thank you

[@WoodisGood82]

I've cut 40 inch oak stump rounds, 2 inches thick, very similar to the one in this video and it produced some really nice end tables for a rustic living room. Its even more cool to allow the oak to check and crack naturally. You can use various epoxies on the market with color to fill those voids. Blue has been our most recent fills. Looks really cool. The only issue is moving the rounds once you cut them from the stump. You need a strong back or a good tractor. You have that covered.

[@gregwagner7125]

Love all the videos, this story about Hunter made me actually LOL! He's a man after my own hart. Quite and know's more than he lets on.

[@desertvs]

15:43 add two wedges close to your saw bar and remove the ones opposite of your final cut. The saw will not get pinched as the wood will open at your cut.

[@tknoerle1451]

Hello Hunter... I've heard so many bits of encouraging news aboutyou, so I am glad for you!

[@Paddy2277]

One of these days you are going to have to draw up a map to all of Melissa's access points to the downstairs/basement! Glad to hear Hunter had a good appointment. We parents of kids on the Spectrum understand what you guys mean with the trials & tribulations! They understand more than we realize and surprise us every day with their ability to communicate be it verbal or non verbal. Happy Easter to the Morgans! Pat & Paula Harker from the Harker Family Farm!

[@thebradleysoncatbirdhill6849]

Mike: Great video as always! Love all the interesting camera angles. Just a quick tip when you're doing stump removal on really big trees like that red oak. As a longtime feller of trees, you have to be careful with the heavy powerhead saws and the long bars. As you can see from the camera when it was almost fully cut, your powerhead is dropping probably by at least an inch to an inch and a half. That puts a lot of tension on the bar, slows the chain speed, and increases the heat. When I teach felling, I have the operator consciously maintain a slight upward pressure on the powerhead, allowing for the fact that it will always bend the bar, particularly toward the end of the cuts. Otherwise, outstanding job! I love it when you guys share stories about Hunter. He is truly the star of this channel!

[@AjMoore-fg4wb]

Just found you guys! Such an amazing, enduring and successful family. THANK YOU for always bringing a smile to not only my face, but both my 11yo and 6yo boys. They love the channel too! Keep on keepin on Morgan's!!

[@edjackson8425]

To make a table top from a slice of the stump / log you can keep it from splitting by drilling an array of holes part way into the slab from the bottom side. The holes allow space for the wood to contract as it dries without splitting.

[@mjarchambeau]

You could place a nice round log under the big saw log to act as a roller. It would allow you to get through the steep and soft section.

[@tbonemc2118]

We used to use roofing pitch to seal the ends of timber in the kiln. Whatever has to be elastic because the slab will shrink as it dries. We also had a water bath in the kiln to keep the humidity up so I'd advise against keeping it anywhere with an artificially dry atmosphere. Someone mentioned using glad wrap which I haven't heard of before but sounds interesting. I never tried drying anything that size though. Sweating the moisture out of it should be your goal rather than thinking of it as drying. You might need to drain off excess moisture inside the glad wrap at regular intervals. Best of luck. Hey! Hunter from Australia. Everyone says you're lucky going to Burger King but I think your Mum and Dad sisters and brother are lucky to have you. We don't have any Burger Kings here so have something for me next time you go. Thanks.

[@thefirewooddoctor]

A chainsaw sawmill attachment, like the Granberg, will make for a much easier time of keeping the large cookie thickness consistent through the cut.

[@pmdoit]

Seal the ends, wrap it in a large plastic bag... This will slow the drying process and limit checking to a minimum. I have a neighbor who is an artist and does a lot of large carvings, this is his method. Nice to hear about Hunter, he sounds like a wonderful young man. He has abilities beyond your imagination. If you focus on what he can do and not what he can't and never decide for him he will surprise you. Have fun Hunter. I can feel the love in your family, I will enjoy following your adventures.

[@hallhouse5098]

How do you get any work done? That Woman is beautiful you lucky man.

[@scottmugford1123]

Hall House right !! Wouldn’t be much getting done

[@jimspirnock1184]

Some people just don’t get how real life is. You two are a couple of awesome people and keep staying positive. Love you guys.

[@jimspirnock1184]

Just want to let you guys know that you’re the best!!!! And as for Hunter I’m with him on Burger King is the best!!!

[@michaelbradley8508]

For sealing the wood for storage (to get a slow drying process) you could use a normal wood glue such as Tight Bond III and dilute it slightly with water - very little water - just enough to make it spread evenly and get down into all the pours. Coat both sides (top and bottom). Leave as much of the bark on as possible - the moisture will slowly leave the wood through the bark. Many months later you can router or sand the glue mixture off. By that time the bark should be easy to remove. Drench the wood with 50/50 boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits - many coats. Let thoroughly dry then then finish with a a tough acrylic finish. Make sure and put the glue mixture on the are where the bark has fallen off. This is a team project - Hunter might like to help with the application of the glue and oil/mineral spirits processes. Video it and add to Hunter's resources for his fans... :) Michael from Canada

[@benm8257]

Nothing wrong with throwing a little fit when Burger King isn't open for lunch yet. I do the same thing frequently ;)

[@benm8257]

@@Morgansunleashed Its that tasty char broil smell and taste. it just does something to a guy ha ha

[@deanbarr5740]

I don't know how I missed this one Mike. I normally get all notifications from you but for some reason i never got this one. That was one massive red oak log. I think I would try a 30 or 40 wt oil on the 5" slab. Also maybe a coupl applications. Every couple of weeks give it another application. I believe that'll work to preserve your table top. Its worth a try.

[@snapperkc9317]

Hey Hunter! Congratulations on your awesome Drs appointment! Tell Mom & Dad they were very safe and to keep it up!

[@gslenaway]

Unless someone has experienced the journey you two have had with Hunter they really can't appreciate the things that make Mike, Melissa and Hunter happy. Autism is not easy. Bless both of you and Hats Off to Hunter!

[@richardbevan1915]

Dig out the stump and make a fab table out of it

[@davidmorse8432]

Hi Mike, On the log skidding, great work moving it as far as you did. When you stopped moving you could have got Melissa to get the other tractor, put it in front of the RK50, connect the two with a chain, and pull in tandem.

[@bill154cub]

Need to fab a two wheel dolly for the rear of the log? More pulling power less friction, and less damage to the trail.

[@garrisonaw]

A two-wheel dolly (four-wheels would be better, so it would hold more weight) for the front end of the log would be better. It would take the weight off the back of the tractor. You could position the dolly about 25-30% from the end so it would reduce the weight on the back end as well. You can actually purchase them pre-made if you don’t want to build one yourself.

[@haroldphipps3457]

Google "Log arch" Very old technology!

[@bikerchic7938]

Here is something my I remember my dad doing when I was a kid.. He was doing a similar pull up a hill and my brothers were feeding pvc pipe or branches under the log to act as bearings. It worked.

[@lauriepearce8266]

You have two tractors and a second tractor driver. Tow the log with them in tandem.

[@fistcover3831]

Trails may not be wide enough for a two tractor pull.

[@davidhecker1894]

Dan a team is side-by-side like horses, tandem is one in front of the other like a tandem axle trailer. But two tractors, one can pull the other tractor or one can pull & one can push the log.

[@davidmorse8432]

@@fistcover3831 Not side by side but end to end, chain between tractors.

[@fistcover3831]

Hope they try that so I can see what its looks like 👍

[@teveler]

God bless you guys.. I have a great child myself who has some difficulties. My heart swells with faith that there are other good people like yourselves doing good things

[@greggkemp5985]

Hey Hunter, just an old Army Sergeant saying Hi! :) Awesome videos guys, keep it up.

[@thomvogan3397]

Growing up here in Canada we hauled a lot of big logs out of the woods, starting with horse teams than later with tractors but we would never drag one along the ground like that, we would always use a skid. Hell of a lot easier on the horses and also the tractors.

[@scotduckrow8524]

Linseed or mineral oil on that cookie, both sides for three HEAVY applications I think should do it

[@edwarddiggs3366]

Great to see the lifestyle you have provided for Hunter. Good for you.

[@JoeSmith-rb9mq]

God bless you folks yall a great team i wish my family was like this.

[@briankirkum662]

Just found you. I noticed when you was dragging that big oak you were in the trench with take the weight off the hi side. Try to saddle that trench and have better luck with heavy loads. Like the content and I am following. Hello Hunter!! My son has autism and he is just a blast to be around. Looking forward to watching more videos

[@petew5272]

Here's a big 'Hi' to Hunter from the UK.

[@deanmorriss7184]

Hi great video . When you cut those slabs of the stump use your saw backwards and you won’t need the wedges the saw dust will compact under the slab and hold the slab up. cheers Dean

[@station173]

Hunter,you have great parents!They love you and so do we!

[@davidruhnke929]

My grandpa used to cut log/limb cross sections to turn clocks from. He would pack the cut cross sections in a garbage can filled with sawdust from the planner and table saw. He never had any crack or check.

[@philmorrison6898]

Mike, You have my utmost admiration! I don’t know how you get any work done when that lovely sidekick of yours is around! LOL! My ADD would get the best of me! LOL!

[@bmorrison0070]

Is this Phil Morrison from Swarthmore? My dad's name is Phil Morrison

[@philmorrison6898]

No my friend!

[@philmorrison6898]

Stonebarn Morrison no I’m the god forsaken Druid Phil morrison!

[@newhampshire-bob1604]

Good to know that size tractor can skid a log that size! I think a 55HP tractor will do me well! Melissa had me laughing at her stair routine, I thought she was going to fall forward there for a second! What does Hunter think about these stairs outside?

[@frostzillathespatulizer204]

Ok so 32000$ for tractor, 2000 for chain saw 20000$ for side by side. To save money on firewood!? Sounds exactly like more money than sense.

[@BCDanno63]

Frostzilla the spatulizer .....Sounds like OCD with a BIG Budget .. 100 acre spread .. Mega Bucks toys .. a $70,000 + building .. I’m smelling a ton of sponsorship input ... thus the constant referrals to Model #’s and flashing Brand names .. Call me jaded .. But I see a lot of angles being played here...🤔😏😉....

[@darcywalls1465]

I truly believe that there’s special places in heaven for parents like you Mike and Melissa. Say hi to Hunter from Leamington, Ontario 🇨🇦

[@neilmacleod5371]

Buying a mill ? Well , hard to beat wood miser , but remember part of the cost is their name , other make good mills at a lower price ,,, the wood miser two saw edger can't be beat , does an excellant job , great sizes . We were getting 25,000 fbm on mostly two inch per shift . I'll swear by that little edger , we had the return rollers on top , very useful on wider flitches . Any way , I'm jealous of your equipment , and jealous of your helper lol

[@slamsshenanigans2296]

It's really neat to think back where you first involved Melissa in a video, and now she is such the promoter! And participant! Great story about Hunter too!

[@kennethbailey2616]

God bless you and yours. Keep up the good work, Hunter! Hi from Montana.

[@cooper8318]

You have an awesome family and i really enjoy your setup there. Cool people, tools, equipment and land, all very nice. I love this stuff!

[@TSemasFl]

Oh my, those jeans!!!

[@matthewcody4905]

Happy to hear Hunter’s appt went well!! We just went down to Charleston and went to a plantation. I thought of the channel and the ultimate firewood set-up because they had an old horse drawn carriage filled with logs that they were bring back for firewood. Old vs new....

[@jeremyboggs1783]

Couldn't help but laugh when Melissa said "now you going to have to get a new ranger."

[@ubcandewit3179]

Hello, Hunter,we are glad that you are doing so well. It is wonderful to see you in the videos. Mike and Melissa, you are indeed blessed! My wife and I take care of my younger sister (physically and mentally challenged) and people do not understand the effort required to provide and protect our angels. I always looked after my sister and while there were many horror stories, there has been more and more miracles. We have taken care of her since 1996 when mom pasted and do not regret it in the least as she gives more than she takes every day. God bless you and your family. As always, love the videos!

[@leederdavid4782]

Very nice video. Our son is on the Autism Spectrum, and the days when he triumphs over something that usually bothers him, are amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@irvinslagter8298]

A good saw, a sharp chain, and a guy that knows how to run it. A good combination!!

[@fredthomson8145]

Hey Mike:I make bowls from that beautiful wood. Can you imagine a serving bowl filled with crawfish with that red oak? Would love to make one for Hunter. Hey Hunter., Fred

[@bobsunkees3392]

Beautiful wood a little bit jealous pretty much mesquite out here to work with go Hunter go .

[@gwcfsm]

Great video. Enjoyed it.

[@thefirewooddoctor]

A logging arch, one that suspends either the whole log off the ground, or just one end of it, makes the task a lot easier on smaller tractors.

[@thefirewooddoctor]

Oh, now I see it. That 3pt attchament lifted the log off the ground.

[@_Us.A]

15:01 WOW! ...great work with wedges !!!🌞

[@ioannisjampo]

all the money this time

[@CFairNH]

Part of why the channel so great is your conclusion of your whole family. Always enjoy the content keep up the good work guys.

[@outsidewithstevep]

Mike - I never understand how there can be people who give you guys the thumbs down... I look forward to your videos.

[@alanross3435]

Stephen Potter....There's always an asshole out there! The Morgan's are the best!🌲🌲🌲👍🏻✌🏻️

[@JohnSmith-ip6gc]

@@Morgansunleashed hello melissa wow 15 : 05 thank you !!! you go girl that crossfit is really paying off !!!!! Keep it up girl ! 😘😘😘😘

[@chris3m98]

I was told even though they put a thumbs down it still counts in youtube history (whatever they call it) I take it they just did not care about the subject on the video that day.

[@JohnSmith-ip6gc]

I agree Stephen potter how can they give a thumbs down ? Love the morgans so glad to know them !

[@cuervovallejo2711]

You guys are a great couple. Hunter is lucky to have you as parents. Not all people are equipped to take care of a child with issues such as Hunter. I also have in-laws a child who has Autism and he is a wonderful person like Hunter. Stay safe. Loved your video.

[@darrinplank]

That 880 is a beast. I have a 60” bar on mine and it’s a monster to manhandle. You can see the deflection in the bar at the end of the cut.

[@treylem3]

@T.L. Watkinson Big timber and stump cuts for tables.

[@treylem3]

@T.L. Watkinson I agree with you, 100% I was just thinking that it's handy when you need it and have it. We had a 3ft a long time. WE never needed more, but used it all a few times.. I've only 'helped' build, what little I have done, but Anchor lock or another sealer slows drying down and cracks, from what I understand

[@jerrysnodderly1268]

hi, my name is Jerry ,I live a mile east of a small village in Michigan called Athens which is 105 miles south of Battle Creek. I really enjoy your videos. I have 5 acres with 2 barns. I do some wood working and metal work. I would love to own a small mill and cut my own lumber. I learn a lot from your videos so keep them comming. Thank you

[@stoneycarter5546]

That's why I don't like the R4 tires The R1 would have made it

[@jtyler8525]

My thought is that Agricultural tires might work better that the industrial on your tractor as they clean themselves faster. Another option is you could go with double ring or cats paw tire chains to help you out in the mud. The drawback to tire chains is they chew up the road way but then so do the tires without hardware on them.

[@geraldkyle5819]

Thank you. I enjoyed this video. I also still do my own firewood at 85 years of age.

[@goodfriend7609]

Your wife is beautiful, enjoyed the video......

[@offplanetevent]

Sicko

[@danbrophy3785]

Great to hear your story of Hunter’s appointment and reactions to the comments. My cousin has autism and is non-verbal. The two remind me of each other. Their needs can be overwhelming at times and little accomplishments can be so rewarding. I get it and am happy for you and our family.

[@edwardwilliams9923]

You two are awesome. I'm from NH and do quite a lot of big stuff using a Husky 3120 with a 36" bar. My biggest oak to date was 48" and counted in at 195 on the ring count. It was a field separator tree and was full of wire from the different pens and so on for all of its life so it was firewood. I did a microburst blowdown last year that came in at 46" and a 175 count. Great you have a helper as my stuff is all done alone. Keep up the good work and I will be watching.

[@Marco-bg8jf]

Just put on Jerry Reed "east bound and down" and stand on it!!!!!

[@kevinhenry7273]

I'm sure you three are really pleased when something like the doctor appointment goes well. Hunter deserves a bonus at the next BK stop. Good man Hunter.

[@munched55]

A cheap and easy fix for skidding is a hood from an old car. you cut a hole in the hood about a foot back from the front curved end and pass you chain thru the hole before you tie-on to the log. If you can lift the log onto the hood with forks, even better, but once you start skidding the log it should hop up onto the hood.

[@chriselectric1116]

at least you use the right chainsaw, nice vids bro,. good job,.

[@CapeAnnImages]

Place the slab in a container of water with about 2" of water above it after it's weighted down with bricks or a cinder block out of the weather. Allow natural evaporation and when the top is exposed flip it over, you don't need to weigh it down any longer. When all the water has evaporated place it outside upright to allow the natural drying out to work. This will prevent "checking".

[@srslyusuck]

You need an old car hood to drag these logs on acts like a sled.

[@kylerobert4511]

Works great behind a ATV or Snow mobile in the winter for some stupid fun too

[@kevinbrazee8716]

or ride it down a hill

[@naybreed]

Thats what I use

[@SimpleLife1971]

I have a hood off an old 1968 Plymouth Satellite I've been using for years!

[@samuelphillips5947]

Yes when I lived in Deland Fla with friends, they had an old hood and they'd pull me with their Toyot pickup as I sat on the hood . It we t well till I hit some cactus

[@ppaje31]

Got to see a rk 55 in person Saturday. Not as big as tractor as it looks in video. I know now why you have a time pulling logs. Tell Hunter that I love the chicken sandwich from BK also. Great parents and love you channel.

[@jackhurlbut4906]

I just found your channel, and I find all of the elements of it so interesting. The saw mill, your projects, the ‘Hunter’ stories. Looking forward to “catching up” on all your videos. Melissa’s smile is quite infectious as well. Be well, and God Bless.

[@mikebrunner9155]

Tell Hunter "Hi" from Western Nebraska. Love you guys, hope you have a Happy Easter.

[@steveallen9581]

This is great! I love driving my ranger in our woods and collecting logs with my kubota tractor. I even have a lifted JKU in desert tan. The icing on the cake - Our youngest is Autistic (kind of spooky the similarities). She has a couple words but I can especially relate to loosing it when you pass BK and understanding way more than you think. Our trigger Target! Keep up the good work!

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Wow, lots of similarities !

[@rickdelve]

We need more Hunter! Always enjoy the videos. Have a great Easter. Cheers from Kingston, Ontario, Canada...

[@michaelgallagher380]

Hi to Hunter from East Central MN!! Wow your grass is greening up nicely. The next time you will get the log where you want it. Nice job cutting that slab from the stump. It is really hard to make a straight cut on something so big. Cheers!

[@tabletman100]

This is a SHOUT OUT TO Hunter. You have wonderful, loving and good looking parents. Wish my parents were like yours. My brother and I were raized on Long Island, New York and the closest thing to woods was when we went to a park with some trees.

[@TF856]

Do like the tow truck drivers do. Put a dolly with wheels/flotation tires under the other end of the log. 😀 It will make it easier to get through bad spots and also eliminate damage when going across lawns or other delicate areas.

[@Expendible1971]

That MS880 sure is a beast! Your muscles would need to grow more muscles to be able to swing that puppy all day.

[@davidroberts2404]

They aren't bad I have both the 660 and 880 and a 311 and another that's built like a hotsaw. Skip chains on most of them with no kick back protection. Don't use muffs so I can hear it when its about to kick back.

[@davidroberts2404]

And I had an 8' bar built for my 880

[@scottmugford1123]

David Roberts post a video of the 880 with the 8” bar love to see it in action

[@davidroberts2404]

@@scottmugford1123 next time I get it out I'll take video. Heavy soab but flys right thru thick trees

[@malovens152]

You two have great family and genuine grounded human values , love your vids