Need input - gravel

[scootr2d]

ok I have tractor , have FEL , have enough to be dangerous , :laughing:

Just received 2 tandom spreads of gravel all the way down the driveway 200feet.
Question what is best way to use FEL to ensure I maintain a consistent depth of 2 inches using tractor and FEL ? What position should FEL be in ?
Should I back drag? if so use back of busket or FEL edge ?

Are there any tricks one could employ to ensure 2 inch depth?

Any input would be greatly appreciated .

 

[beenthere]

Plenty of tricks, but none will ensure a 2" depth. That will come with luck and skill, which you will have some of each when you are finished.

What is the depth of the spread now?

I would start with back dragging and in float. That way you can keep some steering, and not have to use the individual rear brakes as much. But it will likely take several passes, and figuring out what works for you and what doesn't.

Some pics before and after would be great. Enjoy the seat time.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Best thing is a good dump truck driver. Too late for that so at this point I would use a combination of the FEL in float, a box blade, a grader blade, and a good old rake done by hand.

Chris

 

[teg]

...2 tandom spreads of gravel all the way down the driveway 200feet...

Did they spread it or is it sitting in a couple of piles?

Need to know that first... most gravel drivers know how to spread it and I usually don't have to do anything after they are done.

 

[CurlyDave]

This time around just do the best you can with what you have, mainly by backdragging with the FEL.

Next time, get the truck driver to spread it -- he will do a much better job, faster than any tractor can, by just driving with his gate opened properly.

Chris is right that some hand raking may be required, but that is a lot of raking for even a short section of driveway. I would be inclined to do the best I could with the tractor and accept a little imperfection.

 

[beenthere]

.......Just received 2 tandom spreads of gravel all the way down the driveway 200feet............

I took his comment as being spread along the 200 ft.
Maybe, maybe not.

 

[rmasonjr]

I'll be watching this thread for ideas - I'm in the same boat.

I do plan on box-blading the existing driveway and smoothing it out as much as possible before the gravel arrives.

Does anyone use any sort of side barrier to contain the gravel?

 

[magicheater]

I do plan on box-blading the existing driveway and smoothing it out as much as possible before the gravel arrives.

Good idea. I like to do repairs before new gravel is spread also so the imperfections don't mirror up. I have had real good luck using Loader Buddy when back dragging due to its sharp right angle edge on the back of the bucket.

 

[scootr2d]

Did they spread it or is it sitting in a couple of piles?

Need to know that first... most gravel drivers know how to spread it and I usually don't have to do anything after they are done.

It was a tandom spread 2 loads (opened back gate several inches and drove down Driveway full 200 Feet. Made 2 passes (2 loads)

Driveway prep was done beforehand , now I just need to spread to a consistent depth. I do not have box blade etc.. I have FEL only . Any tricks of the trade would help. when backdraggin (if this is what I should do what position should FEL edge be in ? tipped all the way down? or up and use back of bucket?
Any other ideas (any homemade d Jig that could be Attached on FEL to gauge depth ?

Depth at present varies wildly betweed 2 inches and a 8 inches

 

[beenthere]

Back dragging would be with the FEL in float, and the bucket tipped down at an angle anywheare from 10 deg to 45 degree. Not at 90 degree (straight down). The angle will depend on how much material you want to move.
If pushing some of the 8" depth to a shallower spot, then maybe 45 degree to 90 degree will then be like a blade, and you will control the bite with the height of the bucket (not floating).

If some is 8" and the least is 2", then the end average depth will be more than 2". May lose some of that by widening out the drive some. But there is no magical formula, just go at it and see what results you get, and go at it some more. The more you do, the more comfortable you will feel with the FEL in your "hands".

Only "jig" I know of, is the box blade or a rear blade. But the job can be done with just the FEL bucket.

 

[MMagis]

You’re over thinking this. The “trick” you’re hoping to find doesn’t exist. Honestly, you aren’t going to get a perfectly consistent depth everywhere. But, it doesn’t matter if you do. Back drag your bucket, however you find works best for you, until everything looks nice and even. If it looks even, it's close enough. It's a driveway.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Its going to take some work to get it perfect. The driver did not do you any favors by not spreading it fairly even to start with.

Chris

 

[Ford850]

You could bolt a piece of flat stock steel on each side of your bucket, extending it 2" below the bucket bottom. Maybe 3/8" thick stock a couple inches wide would work. That will cut through your new gravel and drag on the firm drive below it, leaving a 2" gap for the loose gravel to flow out as you back drag. It might be worth the time to rig it up and try it.

 

[rus_geek]

If we're going to reinvent the wheel, you could try making some massive gauge wheels for your loader

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk256/Zborberea/Rear Blade build/connectedtotractor.jpg

-rus-

 

[soulasphil]

However you go about it, it's going to require work. I had all the gravel in a heap (unfortunately) as there was not much room for the truck to move. I picked up bucketfuls with the FEL and dropped them regularly. I then backed , flattening everything with the heel of the bucket. I didn't go into float as a measure of down pressure was required. I finished by hand with the good old rake and roller.

 

[wedge40]

I have to agree with MMagis, The way I precieve your problem is your tring to make everything exactly 2". If there are dips and little hills of gravel, the I would ever so lightly back drag my FEL to smooth things out. Maybe spend a 30 minutes to get it close. I found the more I play with something like that the worse it gets. Now after you get 3 or 4 inches of rain, you will learn your FEL skills.

Wedge

 

[Egon]

Get yourself several 6x6 posts and make a drag.

 

[scootr2d]

I finished by hand with the good old rake and roller.

That is absolutely a beautiful piece of property. Approximately where in France are you located ?
Do you happen to know the age of the Home?

 

[soulasphil]

Approximately where in France are you located ?
Do you happen to know the age of the Home?

This is in southern Brittany, Pont l'Abbé more precisely. My small property borders on the Atlantic ocean, but I cannot quite see your side, even from the top floor. The buildings date back to the 19th century, but I haven't been able to find precise dates.

 

[forgeblast]

I am with the others here, its going to be raking to get it "perfect".
What i would do first is make a drag, get a piece of chain link fence and a 4x4 or 6x6 and some chain it will help. I have an old david bradley attachment that i use as my drag. Or just rake it, buy a landscape rake that is very wide.
I would think about compacting the gravel first, you dont want to spread it all two inches and have areas that you need to go back over.