Grading a long driveway

   / Grading a long driveway #1  

jelc

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
41
Hi... I have a 1200 feet long, 15 feet wide gravel (road base) driveway. It is very uneven and needs grading. What would be the easiest/best implement I could use to grade and level the driveway, considering I am quite inexperienced at this sort of thing?

JLC
PS: My tractor is a Kioti CK35.
 
   / Grading a long driveway #2  
A lot depends on how packed the drive is. Is it dirt, gravel, limerock or what?
 
   / Grading a long driveway #3  
Ideally IMO a box scraper for the worst humps and holes then a land scape rake with wheels. Both implements are very forgiving, the box can be dragged over the high spots and pulled into the lows. The rake will be run from one end of the drive to the other leaving a beautiful groomed finish.
If it's not to rutted the rake will do the whole job.

JB.
 
   / Grading a long driveway #4  
I use 60 inch box blade on my gravel drive. It takes some time to learn how
just keep at it.Use a home made drag to to fill in low spots. still learning my self Framer
 
   / Grading a long driveway #5  
I vote for a 60" Boxblade, I use a 48" Boxblade on my CK20HST for my gravel driveway and it works great. I don't see a need for a rake as well since the drive is plenty smooth after. I shorten the toplink so the teeth can really dig in and rip up the holes and hills, then I lengthen the top-link and raise the teeth so that the rear blade can smooth it to a smooth finish.


Click thumbnails for larger image
 
   / Grading a long driveway #6  
I use a box blade and then finish it with a landscape rake. Once it is in shape you can easily maintain it with the rake. My driveway I just go over about twice a year with the rake. I use the rake to bring the gravel back to the crown it does a really nice job. I haven't had use the box blade in couple of years on my drive.
 
   / Grading a long driveway #7  
I use a 7 foot box blade to maintain my driveway it does a great job. Top and Tilt gives the job very nice finish.
 
   / Grading a long driveway #8  
This topic has been debated a number of times.

The three major implements that people recomend are

-box blade
-rear blade
-driveway scraper/drag/blade cutter thingie

From my personal experience a rear blade (with or without rear gauge wheels) is the ideal implement to use.

I have a RB3572 rear blade that i use on my 400' driveway and parking area. I also own a 5' box blade and have found the rear blade to be much more effective at maintaining my gravel drive.
 
   / Grading a long driveway
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Thanks to all who answered! Your advice is appreciated.

I'll try a box blade. I'll check what the local dealers have available.

JLC in Colorado Springs
 
   / Grading a long driveway #10  
To really get it right and not have to mess with it again, you might want to looking into what a guy with a grader will charge to come out and do it for you. You might be suprised to find that it's cheaper then buying a box blade or another implement. Then after you spend the money to buy that implement, you will find that it's very difficult to work and get a smooth driveway with. Compact tractors are not very good at this and it takes a real talent to grade and smooth a road with any implement you can buy for your tractor. For the bigger tractors, they add hydraulic controls to their rear blades or box blades to get it right, but without that, you are fighting a losing battle.

Good luck,
Eddie
 
 
 
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