Loader/Float question

[JudgeRoy]

I need to smooth down the center of a crushed-stone driveway, but am unsure of what the best angle for the bucket is while floating. Also is it better to go in reverse?

Thanks in advance.

 

[KubotaSteve]

I tried using my loader once and if your driveway is packed tight like mine the loader either doesn't do anything or it makes an aweful mess. I use a drag to take the center of my gravel drive down and it works a lot better.

If your driveway isn't packed tight, then put the loader in float and go backwards. The angle of the depends on how much material you are tyring to move. I try to keep mine fairly flat when putting in new stone.

 

[JudgeRoy]

Thanks Steve - the center isn't packed too hard so hopefully it'll be manageable.

 

[inveresk]

I find it easiest to get good results with the fel by dragging it backwards with almost a vertical angle on the blade, backing up dead slow so I have time to react to changes in level and so adjust loader height as the tractor goes over troughs and hollows. At best, the fel is a makeshift tool for this type of work, though, because you can't put a side-to-side angle on it like you can with a box blade and the end of the loader seems to amplify any changes in ground level.

 

[PineRidge]

Before the first snowfall hits we normally go out and loosen up the gravel with a landscape rake. Once it's loose we then spin the rake around and pull it backward to remove the crown from the drive and smooth it all out. This makes snow removal a lot easier, at least for us anyway.

 

[SouthernMan]

It has been my experience that you should also fill the loader before you begin dragging the driveway. If you have a lot of weight in the loader, it will help immeasurably. I would also recommend starting with the bottom of the loader flat on the ground for a pass or two, then rolling it back to full a little at a time, since it will begin to bite into the ground as you do so...
In reverse, of course...
SM