I use a 7' blade similar to yours. I run my blade very vertical. Top link almost as short as it will go.
I use my blacktop section of driveway to set the blade. I plow it clean then backup and set the 3 point stop where the blade just touches the blacktop. This setup gets me down to the very top of the gravel. I'll rake out a few of the larger stones but not very much. Then as I go through valleys I have to make small adjustments. But for most of my plowing I leave the blade set on the stops. We're like you, mostly plowing snow on unfrozen ground. Plow over a half mile of driveway and an acre parking lot like this. When I get to chip 'n seal I set the blade down harder. As it's usually compacted by the neighbors.
