Best for Gravel Driveway Maintenance?

Gooch79 · May 22, 2015

What is the best for maintaining a 1000' gravel driveway? I have a Kioti DK40se. I know that a landplane would be great, but they are expensive. Box blade? Straight blade?

joeyd · May 22, 2015

I think you will get as many opinions as there are attachments to use on your driveway. Everyone will have a preference and a few tricks on how to use that attachment. I think it comes down to what you can afford and what attachment you feel most comfortable with. As for me I maintain my gravel driveway with my back blade. I spin it around so it won't dig in and dress it up. I am lucky that my drive is in good shape and just needs cosmetic work from time to time. Of course if the driveway is in bad shape, ruts, pot holes etc. you might have to use a land plane or a box blade. Enjoy the opinions and the tips that will be passed on.

zzvyb6 · May 22, 2015

8' York type rake with gauge wheels with a chain top link so it floats. Run at 45 degree angle to comb material towards the center and smooth out bumps, divets and irregularities in the surface. Then make a pass at zero angle down the center to add a flat top crown. Done. I also recommend crushed asphalt millings as a top coat. Quiet, no dust, stays put and easy to rake. A lawn roller can embellish an already good driveway appearance, too.

Fawken · May 23, 2015

Box blade and FEL. And stay off of it when wet.

LD1 · May 23, 2015

I like a rear blade if it is in bad shape. A good heavy blade that will actually cut in. Angle everything toward the center. After a down and back pass you should have a nice pile of stone windrowed in the middle. A few more passes with the blade reversed angling towarf the edges to spread out the windrowed stone to nice and level. Should leave a nice crown in the middle and smooth drive.

For lighter maintenance, a landscape rake is also a handy tool. As they will fluff up and pull some stone to fill uneven spots, but wont dig in too much

CDN Farm Boy · May 23, 2015

Fawken said:
Box blade and FEL. And stay off of it when wet.

You lost me there. What do you suggest, park at the road and walk to the house? I've got 1200' to get to my house and my lane is short by comparison to many.

I've got 30 yrs experience using a rear blade just as LD1 said. Last summer I built a land plane that is 3' wide so I can work the tire tracks and leave the grass strip between that my wife is quite fond of. I prefer the rear blade but not doing the same work, no way to leave the middle untouched with it. I've never had a landscape rake or box blade to try.

Fawken · May 23, 2015

CDN Farm Boy said:
You lost me there. What do you suggest, park at the road and walk to the house? I've got 1200' to get to my house and my lane is short by comparison to many.

I've got 30 yrs experience using a rear blade just as LD1 said. Last summer I built a land plane that is 3' wide so I can work the tire tracks and leave the grass strip between that my wife is quite fond of. I prefer the rear blade but not doing the same work, no way to leave the middle untouched with it. I've never had a landscape rake or box blade to try.

I mean don't try to fix it when wet. You do more harm than good. Been dealing with 1000' drive for 32 years.

Gordon Gould · May 23, 2015

You can maintain your drive with any of the three implements you mentioned. If you are on a budget I would think about what other jobs you want to do with your tractor and get the implement that serves you best all around.

The gravel road I maintain is a mile long. I used a rear blade to maintain it for 10 years

It will do a very good job but there is a learning curve involved. I still use it when there is major work to do but the landplane I built 5 years ago has made the rear blade a seldom used tool.

Keeping the road in good shape by blading over it often greatly minimizes the traffic and water damage that occurs on seldom maintained roads. The landplane is so easy and fast to use it makes the frequent maintenance a snap.

gg

MtnViewRanch · May 23, 2015

Gordon, your place ALWAYS looks so nice.

:thumbsup:

lutt · May 23, 2015

I use a box blade, I have a frontier which is a woods in disguise. It's a five footer and pretty heavy. I don't like blading driveways perfectly flat. The water will usaully stand on them after a rain. The gravel that is kicked out to the side helps retain water. I put a angle in my third arm and crown my drive. LUTT