grading driveway

   / grading driveway #1  

BeardyWan

New member
Joined
Oct 20, 2023
Messages
4
Tractor
BX1880
I have been lurking on this forum for a while and a happy BX1880 owner. I am now considering a larger piece of property and coincidentally many of the posts I have read reference grading a gravel/dirt road. I would be grateful if anyone could advise how much gravel needs to be added to virgin clay to make a dirt road.
cheers
Beardy
 
   / grading driveway #2  
Welcome!
My first thought would be "a lot"!!
David from jax
I would think you would spread some over it, roll it in and hope for the best. If not, add more!
David
 
   / grading driveway #4  
6" of 304 Limestone, #4 limestone down to dust would make good starting base. The term gravel here means river gravel and is round. You don't want that it just rolls around and does not compact. Crushed gravel is OK, it will lock together/compact.

Before doing any of that, you'll want to make sure the topsoil is removed, or, put Geotec cloth down first, or your stone will seem to disappear after a while, sinking into the topsoil, even though it may be mostly clay.
 
   / grading driveway #5  
Depending upon your location and the type of clay it will vary considerably. In my area with freeze thaw cycles it would never be done. The gravel will migrate downward and the clay will work it's way up through the clay to the surface of the roadway.
What can be a well drained roadway 90% of the year will turn into a soft bottomless swamp in the spring thaw.
A good heavy duty highway fabric and 4" of compacted gravel with hold up for a long time with minor periodic redressings.
 
   / grading driveway #7  
I removed ~6" of heavy clay topsoil/sod, put down ~6" of fist sized cobbles, (bank run) and top dressed with another 3-4" of crusher run 30 years ago. It's held up well. If I were to do it again today I'd add geotech fabric as the first layer.
 
   / grading driveway #8  
I removed ~6" of heavy clay topsoil/sod, put down ~6" of fist sized cobbles, (bank run) and top dressed with another 3-4" of crusher run 30 years ago. It's held up well. If I were to do it again today I'd add geotech fabric as the first layer.
^^^ This, Geotech would be great. First layer would be 4" to 6" crushed rocks. Then minimum, 4" to 6" thick of crusher run (5/8 minus?) on top so that you can grade and smooth once in a while.
 
  • Good Post
Reactions: JJT
   / grading driveway
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Much appreciated!
 
   / grading driveway #10  
On a well shaped compacted & drained clay roadway tow or three inches of crusher run 3/4 inch gravel should work. Might have to add a little bit every few years. It will also depend on the tire loading it will see.

Or, you can spend lots of dollars for materials and build a road But chances are you will not have the proper equipment to do it properly.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2015 FORD F750 26FT BOX TRUCK (A51219)
2015 FORD F750...
2007 JOHN DEERE 310SJ BACKHOE (A50458)
2007 JOHN DEERE...
2012 Ford F-550 4x4 Versalift VO36I-01 36ft Insulated Bucket Truck (A49461)
2012 Ford F-550...
2013 TRAVIS BODY & TRAILER, INC. ALUMINUM BELLY DUMP (A50854)
2013 TRAVIS BODY &...
2006 GMC 4500 Bucket Truck with Altec AT200 - 34FT Working Height (A51039)
2006 GMC 4500...
2021 Isuzu NRR (A50323)
2021 Isuzu NRR...
 
Top