Excavator Splitting Firewood with SplitFire 4209

[@susanleduc3881]

I still use a wedge and a maul, almost every weekend, to bust up the big rounds. It can be tiring in the wrong types of wood, but it is actually fun with red oak. My two teenage sons enjoy it too. Great form of whole body exercise.

[@DanielAtkinsFirewood]

Same here.. I just got a Fiskars maul today to add to my arsenal of tools..

[@charlesfoleysr6610]

I had a bunch of blocks dropped off to me. I found out later they were chinese elm. I drove a couple wedges in to split one, and had to burn the block to get them out. Just too stringy.

[@practicalamerican8152]

Looks like it works pretty slick.. It looks like it needs a rotation head so that you can easily lineup on the block of wood without having to try to manipulate the block itself.

[@MostlyOutdoors]

Agreed, splitter definitely needs to rotate

[@loganh6736]

Know a rotor head to move those rounds around may help but you where doing a great job without one. Then you have to look at the cost and would it pay for itself in the wood lot and dirt work in a timely fashion. Then there’s the added weight and maintenance to think about. I do remember you commenting on when you first got the exivator

[@nephilly87]

Only a 30k upgrade

[@kenguier8464]

OR a ground handler to position the logs.. Too much time spent attempting to get the logs into position to be picked up..

[@randywilson6869]

Have u seen Noel Koch homemade backhoe splitter

[@lifeonmttammanyridge2565]

I agree that video with the doctor was absolutely awesome, it was far more interesting than I originally had thought it would be.

[@johnking8679]

Having had brain surgery this past year for hydro encephalitis I was very interested in the video interview with your daughters surgeon. I was VERY impressed - looks like he's a great guy, too !!

[@johnking8679]

Thanks for sharing the Surgeon's interview, Mike !!

[@thelogfather5002]

Split fire is great gear! I run 2 of them in my firewood business to complement my processor here in Nova Scotia! You’ve got the gear! You’re a blessed man- don’t take it for granted! Cheers, Jeff.

[@paulprigge1209]

Yes sir I clocked out on a Friday night early to mid 40s at work and never went back health. I am now 61 but very blessed in spite of past mistakes. God is good

[@mrwaterschoot5617]

mr morgan. i like it i love it i got to get a lot more of it. i have a kubota dealer 50 miles from my base wood lot of roughly 64 acres. in vershire vermont. would it be possible to get a list of your tools of the kubota line. or what you think would be the best kubota tools to purchase and allied support equipment. maybe if i put a list of what you have and want it might be some thing i deal with one and only one dealer and i have them as a mechanical support company. if you have a ball park estimate of costs and i know there are a ton of variables and things that come in to play. and i will be a hee haw donkey. with your knowledge and my knowledge and the grace of god i can dial in on what have to get my woodsperson blood get out of the hobby low cost mode to a not for profit semi professional fun operation. should i make money on my monetary investments then i will pay it forward and lend a helping hand for people who are willing to work and only need a hand up and it will be my helping hand and supporting capital with a fair and honest rate of interest. when it is convenient for both you and i would love to visit your operations to get a big picture of what you came up with and if i see a way that might help you i will mention it to you. my wood lot was cut in 1940 according to the deed. best i can see is a pile of slow rotting stumps. but the are pictures of the old ely cooper mine about 5 miles east of my camp. there is a flue way lined with granite blocks up small mountain top to a wooden lead lined chimney. and not a tree is standing. it goes back to the heydays of 1880 when cooper was king and folks like george westinghouse looking at improvements in processing copper ore into copper ingots for refining more of the impurities out. neat history. my dad bought the property on his 39th birthday and i was about 12.5 years young his first born son. then we took the 5+ hour trip to home base to watch neil and buzz leave the eagle and take those ladder steps and talk the about the giant leap for mankind. and the boys where stirring moon dust and digging up stones. in 1989 or so i bought the property from mom and dad when my dads retirement tanked. i planted christmas trees that now are timber. more later.

[@thelogfather5002]

@@mrwaterschoot5617 you may have sent this message to the wrong person. :)

[@mrwaterschoot5617]

@@thelogfather5002 thank you for pointing that out. i thought i commented was focused on the morgans. the you-tube process connected my thoughts with you. maybe it is that we are strangers now and maybe we can be friends. when we throw out a request for knowledge to the universe, it does not matter who answers but the key is you got the answer. (: :) thank you for you for your info. i will wait a tad and see it makes it to the morgans. of my nearly 66 years on earth i have a mid life crisis. i scrimped and saved and worked hard for what i got. now that i have a little money the i need to spend it so i do not leave it to fake news flunky monkees. i want to spend it thriftfully and do something good with the blessings god gave to me. if i do not share my blessings with god's people in need, god can chose not to give me more blessings or god can give me more life on earth challenge. so my mission is to become a better man whatever that be. if i do good, god will be with me. if i do not good, god has the choice to fix me, challenge me with more problems or strike me dead and only god can decide. god bless you today and always.

[@luisrodriquez6358]

Mike you look like you have been doing that big log splitter for years on the excavator, you make it look so easy.

[@susiebryant381]

Enjoyed watching your video with Dr. Friedlander yesterday. Very informative! This video could possibly help someone who has no idea as to why they're having headaches or tingling in their hands and/or feet, etc. Also, it was uplifting to listen to a doctor who talks to you in a language, down to earth, and is easily understood. Prayers for Eva and all your family. You and Melissa are special people!!! Say "Hey" to Hunter for me. From Madison, WV ❄

[@kevinkemler1367]

I’ve been so excited to see that tool in action! Thank you!

[@pmur079]

You operate that like a surgeon. Very patient.

[@tknoerle1451]

Love how your new log-splitter functions and the great performance it provides for grabbing, moving & split'n for you!!!

[@avalonhomestead9077]

Anything to make life easier. Wish you the best and success with the new splitter.

[@keithburch5506]

Oh wow! Yessir, that IS the ticket. Now large logs are no problem, well, one...instead of wheels on the stand you may want it on a pallet because in just minutes your large rounds are split, you finish them on the Wolfridge then you'll need the excavator to hold another long pole to cut in 16" rounds. You don't want to have to drive back up to the garage then back down to the splitter. Heck I don't know, I've learned you know a lot more than I do. I do know this though, it's an awesome addition to your operation, I think it's great! I did watch that interview just minutes after it posted, but I was on my TV, Roku, and can't comment there. I really enjoyed it, a lot! Stuff about the malformation was very interesting and then when he said he was growing large pumpkins and had talked w your cousin or nephew I laughed out loud! Now that was crazy! What a delight to find such an important man, w so much on his plate, working w Chris (?) to grow giant pumpkins! Also how awesome his youngest daughter also Eva! Wow wow! And the way y'all had to change surgeons at the last minute and got him by your sister's help, wow wow! I used to think your channel couldn't get any better but I was wrong...Mike, i just can't thank you enough for taking the time and trouble w the videos, I really love this channel, my #1 favorite! 👍🚜❤

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

I'll say too that is a game changer for sure Mike. That's going to be a time saver and round saver too. Won't have to pass over those big rounds anymore. I have watched the video of Eva's Surgeon three times and it is a very good video. Even after watching it and commenting KZbin doesn't show that it's been viewed? Have that happen on a lot of your videos? Anyway, you did great as usual with your purchase and use of the equipment you are purchasing, so happy you're able to keep stepping up, you all deserve it. Stay safe and keep having fun. Fred.

[@keithashline505]

This is definitely a first for me to see a log splitter attached to an excavator, it was just as you said it was, the right tool for the big logs.

[@marvindiamonjr.9631]

I loved the brain surgeon video! Watched it as soon as it came out. That excavator wood splitter looks great. I like the way it is offset from the boom on the excavator. Gives you a real good view of what's going on. Seems to have plenty of power, too. Splits those big rounds with no hesitation. It's nice when everything comes properly sized!

[@matthewsims359]

When you first mentioned this splitter, i had never even heard of one. I youtubed it and watched a guy using one and i was not impressed at all. My impression didnt change for the first few minutes of watching you use it. I realize it takes a bit to get used to using it and it seemed that you figured it out rather quickly and then i began to realize that that thing will be very handy. I think it would be much much better with someone setting up the rounds instead of having to get them in the right position with the excavator. Either way, splitting wood from and enclosed, heated/air conditioned cab is priceless. Stay well, stay safe and yall HAVE A DAY

[@matthewdoran3561]

Excellent addition to the wood splitting arsenal. Hydraulics are a good thing and you caught on pretty quick splitting both ways. 😊👍

[@glennwolfe1663]

Morning Mike. That splitter sure beats a wedge and maul I used back in the 70's & 80's 👍👍👍👍👍😺🤗🐺

[@ralphjelomono9068]

That is a fine attachment Mike. Once you got in the groove you were knocking the rounds down to size in no time. I love it.

[@chetkowalski8280]

Glad that splitfire is going to work out for you Mike. We have a splitfire that is a 3 pt hitch attachment for our tractor, works great with the big rounds and we mostly use it when we cut rounds in the woods. After over 15 yrs of use we have never had even the slightest problem with it.

[@deanconrad8539]

great back saver mike simple but very usefull

[@russellbowman8051]

That Splitter Works Awesome!! That Is The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread!! That is Going To Make Fast Work Out Of Them Big Rounds Without The Back Breaking Hard Work To Muscle Them Around!! Very Nice Attachment!! 😊👍👊

[@awesomesauce7535]

What a great thing to add for your firewood production 👏

[@peterwolf2497]

The video of Dr Freidlander interview is awesome and definitely worth a watch.

[@ROGERWALDMAN]

WE BIULD ONE FOR OUR MINI SKID OVER 10 YEARS AGO AND STILL USING IT TODAY ! WORKS GREAT !

[@davidbishop4015]

Neat piece of equipment. No way of getting injured. Wood is right out in front of you so you see what you're splitting. And your warm while working. Stay safe.

[@kdegraa]

Such delicate and precise manipulation of the timber to split it.

[@williamwilson6887]

I wonder if there’s any tree service folks around who’d drop off large gnarly logs they’d removed and no use for. It could save some money while increasing production of available firewood. Great addition to the firewood arsenal. Stay safe and glad to see Eva doing so well.

[@Yeti0044]

Good morning Mike! What a great setup. You're a firewood maniac!

[@raymondfolsom5859]

You are very skilled at machinery....if you like it, that is all thats required

[@cdalesandro]

Hello Morgan’s! That is a nice attachment Mike! Makes quick work of those big rounds.

[@firefightingmailmansnypes5523]

Nice addition to the wood yard. Two or three things I noticed right away first the paint coming off between the plates where the mount bolted together and the spot weld on the body of the splitter. Three, the paint already wearing off the wedge compared to the wolf ridge after many hours of use hardly any missing paint on wedge. None are really a big deal but attention to details.

[@rightsideofthegrass8114]

Noticed the same thing.

[@johnking8679]

Yuuup - I noticed the same thing, Mike !!

[@TheChief3102]

Good morning Morgan’s! That is a great addition to the arsenal! Have a day!

[@megamike4357]

I have no doubt that after a few times of using it, you will develop an effective system. As with everything, their is a learning curve. You got this!

[@bobbyd6499]

Yes Mike, “AWESOME” is a great description for that splitter.

[@singleshot2218]

Quite an attachment Mike! Looks like it will be a big help! God bless my friend!🎚🙏🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾

[@eddeetz493]

Heck of a back saver. I hope local wood cooking cafes would be crazy not to burn your wood after you do a restaurant review with the family. Possible retail of your wrapped smoking wood bundles. Ever consider dropping the brush piles in a ravine for small game habitat. Cutting the rounds in the woods with splitting in-between bucket loads is a great work flow process. Every trip out a load of rounds comes back or saw logs. Brian's Farming Chamnel just built two fabric storage and workshop with open ends. Cover the area and you are dry. I hope Eli expands the maple syrup business. Perfect Restaurant retail item.

[@007twm]

That splitter is slick. I like the dual direction splitting feature. No wasted motion. Stay warm.

[@briancady1892]

I would recommend the spiral wrap hose protection for your hydraulic lines. We used to buy it in 100 ft coils I believe. I worked at an equipment rental co and we wrapped all implement lines to prevent chaffing. Worked very well. Saved a lot of aggravation.

[@bobbyfowler7319]

Looks like too much fun! Be safe, be cool! Beach NC

[@jwbbud]

Works good, I had looked at getting the side tool brand but went with a halverson 120 processor for the skid steer. Great back saver for us folks getting older

[@matthewmackrill3026]

It’s an impressive piece of kit Mike, you got the hang of it very quickly.

[@johnmayo8500]

Hi Mike, I have a skid steer splitter for the large rounds. I split them into my dump trailer and then back it up to my regular splitter for final sizing. My trailer has stake pockets across the back so l made some 2x4 stakes and put a 2x6 across the back. When I can’t reach anymore blocks I just lift the box until they slide back. You could do your blocking and splitting in the woods instead of hauling those heavy logs one at a time. Save wear and tear on the tractor. This is how I do it most of the time. John

[@njonebale7889]

the excavator is the nicest, you don’t have to move and you just pick it up on your final split and swing over a bust it next to your wood splitter and pile it up …and your not getting seasick in your skid steer

[@sofakinggood5829]

I was skeptical but now I'm convinced.

[@vogelj2009]

Super cool tool. Enjoy!!

[@gerryspang5917]

Nicely done Mike sure makes it easier to manage the big rounds. Better reach for rounds while splitting. Cheers

[@brianmaslyn6632]

I have one on my skidsteer and your absolutely right about making a mess quickly! I do it when the ground is frozen and deal with the ice I make from spinning and turning all the time. But those big rounds produce great firewood when you get it into manageable pieces.

[@bentwedgestanleybrand5818]

Good morning everyone

[@farmerbob728]

What a great video...That's awesome machine.

[@kevinfinney8849]

Great addition to the Fleet!

[@franklackie2469]

That's a handy attachment mike, them Canadians build great stuff

[@royceabbottsexcavation3709]

That’s definitely going to work. I’m gonna be looking at one of them Spliters. For my firewood business.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Great addition to your firewood process. It would be even better if the head swiveled, but still really nice

[@davelynn4993]

I took a used 3pt log splitter and modified so that it can be picked up with pallet forks with my tractor. I had a 48" hard maple round that I stood up on edge. The splitter popped it right in half. I then wen to work on getting it all split into firewood. One hint -- if you have a round sitting upright -- you can set the splitter on top and they will usually split the entire length and pop open. No need to rearrange them.

[@davidmerkel1874]

Nice to be able to work safer, more efficiently, still praying for Hunter and Eva and the family, have a day

[@russellbelliveau1694]

Nice rig thanks for sharing

[@fricknjeep]

hi there bit of a learning curve . when i brake them down like that i put the one to be split on the top of the pile so it doesn't fall off . also putting them on top of the pile keeps them from the dirt a bit , and don't have to pick them all the way off tar ground . happy splitting , next you need a table it will double your splitting speed john

[@pjseiber2774]

That thing is awesome. You couldn't ask for anything better.

[@wesleyhuckabay5968]

How cool is that!!

[@evankibbe590]

Good morning everyone 👍🌎🌞 Yes works good it does 👍👍👍👍

[@ppetrey]

Nice attachment Mike.

[@tudorwynphillips6458]

Fabulous piece of kit Mike 👍👏

[@tuttova]

Nice tool, approved.

[@billmorris2613]

Good morning to all from SE Louisiana 4 Feb 22.

[@edwardrobold3650]

Exactly the choice I would have made. Really cool!

[@williamingle1684]

Brilliant!

[@supamat]

Your really going into this wood chopping thing 👍🇬🇧

[@calvinbruck6154]

Good job Mike. Just want you needed. This will help you out a lot.

[@eddyhackleman]

That made quick work of those rounds... good stuff

[@kingwood4357]

Nice addition to the tool kit 👍

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

So awesome.....lotta folks been waiting to see this in action. Next level stuff right there and the bonus is more seat time in the excavator. Let's see Melissa use it!!

[@tinachambers4887]

Hi Mike cool beans right handy have a day love from TEXAS

[@harrykeel8557]

That thing is the boss! I do agree though, that a rotating head would really make it the "bee's knees". Stay safe and warm.

[@donflack3778]

That works really good! Good addition. 😉

[@carlnicholas7346]

Mike, the splitter will make quick work of them big round. You will need to secure the hyd. hose be fore they are caught. A big word of caution, be very careful with the thread tape on hyds. The little pieces can get into hyds. and cause alot of trouble. I worked for a equipment dealer years ago. Had a costumer that was sloppy with the tape and it went through the whole hyd. system. Had to remove and clean every part of hyd. system. Be careful or use pipe dope. Keep the great videos coming ,enjoy them all and Thank You

[@mikedraper5260]

Wow the spitfire works great . It sure will come in handy ... It should really help your back complaints . Dr .Freilander was brilliant it sure was different but super interesting. Have a great day eh.

[@derekzoeller2758]

I really like your new toy!

[@steveniemyer9288]

I had about as many rounds and the same size. It took me a little over a minute to split one with an 8lb mail and a 10lb sledge. With that being said I had to rest several minutes between each log, with my breaks becoming longer and longer between each one. Also the more tired I became the longer it took to split the logs. I can’t remember how long it took me to split them all but it wasn’t as quick as you and I was wore out when I was finished. That is a heck of a piece of equipment.

[@tonieveritt7045]

Morning mike that does the business like knife through butter that is wicked no problem at all worth every penny

[@stevemiller5525]

That looks like the ticket! I think a little hose management would be needed. A stand out of some square tubing about a foot long . Bolted to that new mount going up with a pair of hose mounts. It would keep the hoses up but on the same plain as the ram.

[@maraudermitchelli]

Winning 🙂

[@uoobwatcher]

I loved the Dr interview video...well done!

[@MikeJohnson-bu4gl]

The Doctor's explanations were much more informative than most other info & explanations even on youtube. He should be encouraged to give both the lecture and possiblly a video of the surgery so that other neurosurgeons could benefit from his expertise!!

[@mtebbetts2]

WEEEELLLLLL that’s just bout handy as buttons on a shirt! Very cool!

[@jc-botaman1077]

You caught on to it pretty quick! It's nice sitting in a climate controlled cab while splitting. After you get even better at it you'll be splitting the pieces down small enough they'll only need one run through the Wolf Ridge. A few tips I've learned, have the piece sitting on the ground so it doesn't fall out while splitting. Once through the initial split with the wedge still in. use the curly on the machine to flop the two halves apart. Then you can change the angle of the splitter as you work your way through the two halves. Looking forward to more splitting video's.

[@njonebale7889]

that’s great advice, that’s how i work it as well, also mikey should learn not to lift and carry the really big rounds, i’ve actually twisted my I-beam on mine, but fortunately another one weeks later twisted it back straight, and it’s really bad for the excavator pins and bushings to pick that much weight off center. usually just pull it out a long the ground and half and quarter it before picking it up and putting the final split onto the pile.

[@steveashworth6707]

Mike hit a home run with that spltter!, that works out great!. The video of Eva's Doctor was great!. Morgans good day!.

[@AndyFromm]

Nice looking splitter

[@tjiacab3272]

log splitter dream. Firewood is a very good back up for heat in house and wood burning stove. If the power goes out for a long period. Gas or propane or oil heat would be nice but niwadays you need electrical to run those heaters. A full house generator is the ultimate to keep home functioning. Someday the elites may ban burning wood, just saying. Thanks for the videos, love the equipment and working with timber/sawmill, etc.

[@aaronbaum2542]

That is an Amazing piece of equipment Mike and I can see it being very helpful to you!! Thank you so much for sharing!! 😊

[@johnkeyes5719]

Mike, I am so amazed at your abilities with a new piece of equipment. You ROCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@theploeg]

Love your Channel. If you make a T-shirt with the line "I'm a big oil spiller", (I laugh every time you mention it as I am too), I'll buy several. Thanks for the great videos and insight/entertainment. Cheers from Canada.

[@DaveyBlue32]

Park your flatbed trailer there to use as a real big work bench… breaking those chunks down onto a table would have them up so you are moving them across to your splitter hight…almost like a conveyor belt type setup so you don’t physically need to lift them??? That’s just awesome! The easiest way to get through it is the best way… save that back brother! Keep rocking!!! You’re kicking tail buddy!!!

[@tf987]

wow splits both ways thats too easy!!

[@terrygroce1594]

Very nice splitter.

[@holymoly6829]

That’s a great asset 🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@drewwagner7985]

That splitter works well. Looks like you could split into the firewood bucket and save your back a little.

[@steventhomas524]

Loved the zero turn lawn mower ice racing on Messick's channel. I would have lost money, as I would have bet on you, Mike. Good content.

[@donhouser6201]

Like butter!

[@Spinonemaster]

Nice addition to the processing Mike ... should speed things up handling those big rounds (nice back and finger saver too !") ... the WR may be able to handle big rounds, but eventually the big ones will take a toll on your back manhandling them around ... that rig will also let you keep the big rounds stacked away from your immediate work area ... as you age you really begin to see the wisdom of well thought out work areas and shops ... as any step saved goes to help efficiency .... the storage stand is also a great idea ... I'm sure you've already though about it, but might be time to get some basic Welding equipment for the shop ... even a small $100 HF Mig welder on a cart will save your butt on small repairs and basic fabricating, a guy like you will be up to speed welding in no time ...* just don't weld online ... lol ... way to many "experts" and critics out there ... YT is full of good beginner tutorials

[@jackmccracken9264]

Jack McCracken I have been waiting for a while to see this work. It looks like it works great. I did watch the doctor and that was wondering knowing how many people have it. Thanks Mike

[@paulprigge1209]

Have it and don’t know it.

[@MrSongs4me]

AWESOME !!!