# Dad uses a backhoe to trim his hedge.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [July 24, 2017, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057 "2017-07-24T21:30:35Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2017, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/1 "2017-07-24T21:30:35Z")
Quite a clever and effective method to trim a hedge. My only concern is his lack of eye protection. A shatter proof face shield would be a wise choice.
[https://m.lowes.com/pd/Safety-Works-Adjustable-Face-Shield/1000042479](https://m.lowes.com/pd/Safety-Works-Adjustable-Face-Shield/1000042479)
Otherwise it seems safe enough. Make sure no one is standing very close just in case the mower falls.
I wish they would have featured a photo facing the front of the backhoe. I’m curious how he securely attached his lawn mower and got it level.
> **[Father trims hedges with a lawnmower strapped to a backhoe](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4725232/Father-trims-hedges-lawnmower-strapped-backhoe.html)**
>
> A father in Alberta, Canada has been filmed trimming his backyard hedges using a lawnmower strapped to a tractor to avoid having to do the tedious task by hand.
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2017, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/2 "2017-07-24T21:39:09Z")
Backhoe?
[![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbK9eybE35E)
[![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyWzk31p3lk)
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2017, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/3 "2017-07-24T21:42:57Z")
Lawn mower on a stick looks dangerous. No way would I try that. You’re SOL if it falls on you.
Chainsaw on a rope is just crazy.
That dude has a death wish.
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2017, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/4 "2017-07-24T22:49:23Z")
Whole lotta _Not Backhoe_ in that clip. Ah, it’s Canada.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2017, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/5 "2017-07-24T23:09:19Z")
Yeah, it’s a large lawn tractor with a front loader attachment.
Colloquially most of the public would call it a backhoe or bobcat.
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### Author:  [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2017, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/6 "2017-07-24T23:35:57Z")
What? I think most people would call it a tractor, maybe even a loader. Backhoes and Bobcats are specific machines that are both very different from the thing in that video.
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### Author:  [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2017, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/7 "2017-07-24T23:37:17Z")
Any excuse to be on the tractor. LOL!
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### Author:  [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2017, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/8 "2017-07-25T00:19:43Z")
If you can afford a tractor that size you can afford the proper tool for the job. If he has hedges/bushes this isn’t a once in a lifetime, I’m not buying a specialty tool type situation
There is no possible reason to be taking chances like this at the family home.
How long till we hear about this FATHER injuring one of his kids or neighbors?
We can hear it now…
I didn’t know he was over there
But my wife was watching the kids in the house
I thought the neighborhood kids were all at school.
It was just for a minute
I saw it online and it looked ok to me.😃
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2017, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/9 "2017-07-25T02:21:06Z")
It depends on the connection between the mower and bucket. A custom steel bracket and tightened bolts isn’t going to come loose. I’d want the back wheels resting inside the bucket. So the rear weight is securely supported.
I’d run if he used baling wire and duck tape. Wouldn’t want to be within a 100 yards of this jury rigged system.
Regardless, the “don’t try it at home disclaimer” is worth stating.
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### Author:  [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2017, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/10 "2017-07-25T07:04:42Z")
Well at least he didn’t use a backhoe to shave any private body parts.
Don’t try _that_ at home!
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### Author:  [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2017, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/11 "2017-07-25T08:17:57Z")
This trick works if you have a very level area next to the hedge. If not, your hedge top would be vary depending on the angle and level of the tractor at the time it cuts the hedge.
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### Author:  [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2017, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/12 "2017-07-25T13:34:48Z")
Eh. I have a LOADER that’s about twice that size. It does bug the shit out of me when a totally improper description is used for something. Surprised they didn’t call it a bull dozer.
As long as it’s attached properly, pretty clever. Though he REALLY needs eye protection. The mower is just about eye level.
I used to do a similar thing attaching an extension ladder the bucket on my tractor. Made it easy to move and gave it a very stable base.
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/13 "2017-07-25T15:07:33Z")
I trim a few junipers once or twice a year. I use [electric hedge trimmers](http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/1000/0d/0d2b814e-b442-4ea8-ba21-f5c2d51dd2ae_1000.jpg).
I trim the top, round the edges, and trim each face.
Doing it with a mower rigged to a garden tractor would be more work and do a shitty job, IMO.
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### Author:  [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2017, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/14 "2017-07-25T15:27:55Z")
> [@enipla](#):
>
> Eh. I have a LOADER that’s about twice that size. It does bug the shit out of me when a totally improper description is used for something. Surprised they didn’t call it a bull dozer.
I wonder if it’s any different in the UK (since the link is to a UK site.)
At any rate, since we’re on the subject, what’s the difference between a backhoe and an excavator? And both of those can have that loader thing on them, right? Is the difference that the backhoe is smaller and usually on wheels, while an excavator is bigger and on those tank tread type of things (word for that?) I never learned my construction equipment, and now that I have two young daughters (3 and 1), they’re (or at least the older one) interested in learning the names for all of them, and I want to make sure I’m teaching the proper vocabulary.
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2017, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/15 "2017-07-25T15:35:44Z")
The mower lacks a bagger. Cleanup is the time consuming part of the job.
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### Author:  [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2017, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/16 "2017-07-25T15:47:27Z")
> [@pulykamell](#):
>
> At any rate, since we’re on the subject, what’s the difference between a backhoe and an excavator? And both of those can have that loader thing on them, right? Is the difference that the backhoe is smaller and usually on wheels, while an excavator is bigger and on those tank tread type of things (word for that?) I never learned my construction equipment, and now that I have two young daughters (3 and 1), they’re (or at least the older one) interested in learning the names for all of them, and I want to make sure I’m teaching the proper vocabulary.
You’ve pretty much got it.
[Backhoe](http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/Caterpillar/C772078?$cc-s$)
[Excavator](http://jcbcea.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/excavator-js200.jpg)
The digging mechanism common to both of them is called a hoe (excavators are frequently called “track hoes”). On a backhoe, the hoe is attached to the back of a 4-wheel front end loader; on an excavator it’s located on a rotating platform in the center of the machine. Excavators are usually on tracks, but you can get [rubber-tire excavators](http://img.directindustry.com/images_di/photo-m2/19427-5567195.jpg). They’re still excavators because of where and how the hoe is mounted .
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### Author:  [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)
#### Post date: [July 25, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/17 "2017-07-25T17:42:02Z")
That’s cute. It’s like a home-made [bush \*piglet](https://www.google.com/search?q=bush+hog&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjN4v6n_aTVAhVDNiYKHVd6AgkQ_AUICygC&biw=1390&bih=614)\*.
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### Author:  [@HelenGawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenGawn)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2017, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/18 "2017-07-27T04:44:06Z")
How does he do the sides?
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### Author:  [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2017, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/19 "2017-07-27T11:26:30Z")
I’m sure we’ve all seen shows about mishaps.
A major theme in these clips is people using home-made equipment and then suffering the consequence.
I hope your Dad is OK, but there’s no upside to using an incorrect tool (or not hiring a professional.)
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### Author:  [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)
#### Post date: [July 27, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dad-uses-a-backhoe-to-trim-his-hedge/792057/20 "2017-07-27T18:15:24Z")
Hmm, not that great, far too much to-ing and fro-ing , not good for the lawn.
There are far safer and better tools, easier to use and not all that expensive - if he can afford that little toy he can afford a flail or trimmer attachment - he would do it in a fraction of the time, and will also do the sides, the flail could also be used for sloped rough banks and a number of other jobs.
People take dumb risks instead of springing out a couple hundred bucks - difference between an amateur and a pro I guess