Recycled Asphalt (Free) or buy crusher run

[lootiejay]

So I have about 400 feet of dirt / Clay driveway that I plant to put a surface on.
I have been pricing gravel and crusher run and I am about to pull the trigger to have it brought in and spread at about 4-6 inches the fuill length.

HOWEVER, I woke up this morning and highway 701 is being redone less than a half mile from my house and one of the guys said that they are pretty much giving the asphalt away...

The question is, should I tell them to bring in as many truckloads as possible and spread / compact myself with my tractor or should I just go ahead and purchase the crusher run?

 

[oosik]

If all you plan on doing is adding a layer of "something" on top and they are willing to deliver - all for free. No question - have them deliver the free recycled asphalt. You can take whatever time it takes to spread and compact yourself. Free is a pretty substantial savings. Even with crusher run - you will have to do a certain amount of spreading and still compact it yourself.

 

[Rustyiron]

Free is good!
Deeper is better and if you have the space, several loads "stockpiled" would be handy.
If you don't have overhead wires & limbs, the guy's should spread it for you as best as they can, especially if you have a pocket full of $10 bills.

 

[TCJatko]

Cheap good, free best!

 

[Industrial Toys]

You need to do the job perfectly the first time, just like paving. You can't re-work that stuff without special equipment.

 

[RNeumann]

With a clay sub-base I’d spend a few bucks on some road fabric and then add the free crushed asphalt. Their is nothing wrong with the asphalt.

 

[weedsportpete]

I had a similar situation a few years ago. I'm still kicking myself for not taking more at the time. Also as Industrial Toys said - you have to work that asphalt right. Meaning, as soon as possible after they dump it. Mine was still warm from the milling operation when they delivered it - I should have spread it immediately. And not just spread, but also compact. I know that may not be possible. But whatever you can do while it is still warm will help you. I spread mine about 2-3 days after dumping and, while I did get it 'sort-of' leveled, it was not at all flat and smooth, which is kind of one of the benefits you are hoping for with asphalt. Over the years, and with many snow plows chewing on the uneven surface, I've lost quite a bit of it. Looks like you don't have to worry about that. But I do recommend having a big compactor if you can. Would be great if you had help, and as they deliver the truckloads, you have someone spreading and someone compacting. I'm not sure how fast they will deliver it, but we had a truck arriving about every half hour. We had to scramble to keep up. They did it at the end of each day, so maybe it will be delivered to you differently. As far as quality, if it could be compacted and leveled, it should last for many years. Definitely go for it.

 

[Industrial Toys]

At one place I saw it used, they employed a lot of compaction equipment AND soaked it with plenty of water to aid in compaction.

 

[Ritothebull]

Reclaimed asphalt millings are about all we use in Fl. since gravel is so expensive down here and it's not free, it's about $22 a ton delivered. And if you run a vibratory roller over it on a hot day it's can turn out pretty close to a pave job depending on the quality of the material you get.

 

[Redlands Okie]

If the asphalt material compacts and more or less glues itself back together in your drive then thats a good thing. Until it starts to form pot holes and break into large chucks flipping up. Your not likely to have the means to rework the recycled asphalt.
A crusher run driveway does require some maintence but if your in this tractor forum then you likely have the means to maintain it.