Gravel Driveway vs Box Blade

[fried1765]

I understand the need for a high crown. We have an average of 53" of rain annually, and our driveway averages 14%, meaning some sections are steeper. I have difficulty creating more grade to the side than down the drive, especially after the traffic throws some of the gravel to the side creating depressions in the tire tracks. So the water likes to run down the driveway and in a heavy rain cut ruts.

But that's why I too am a fan of the rear blade - maintaining the ditches and crown is much more significant for me than smoothing the roadway.

BINGO !!!
YOU....obviously understand exactly how it SHOULD be done!

 

[Buggs67]

If you like a FLAT smooth driveway, then a land plane is the tool for you.
If you like to make and keep a significant crown (to shed water) then you need a rear blade.
A land plane is fool proof!
A rear blade will take some practicing to hold the grade/shape that you may want.
I use ONLY a rear blade, have used one for years, and am **** about holding a significant crown, to shed water.

I already have the BB but trying to maintain the driveway with it has been a learning experience. I don't have a TnT or the sliding adjustable lift arms. I'm pricing a rear blade. One that will offset would make it easier to pull the gravel out of the ditch and shoulder after snow season. And as a fringe benefit it would plow off the snow during the winter.

A local with more experience says he uses a drag harrow about once a month to even out the bumps and keep it smooth. He said it brings up the stone, spreads it and then traffic repacks it. I share part of the driveway with a retired dairy farmer. I'm gonna follow his lead at first.

 

[Buggs67]

And while we do get rain it's nothing like Florida. I do have some crown now and want to maintain some (especially on the upgrade). But unlike the sunny state snow and recovering from the winter is a concern.

 

[fried1765]

I already have the BB but trying to maintain the driveway with it has been a learning experience. I don't have a TnT or the sliding adjustable lift arms. I'm pricing a rear blade. One that will offset would make it easier to pull the gravel out of the ditch and shoulder after snow season. And as a fringe benefit it would plow off the snow during the winter.

A local with more experience says he uses a drag harrow about once a month to even out the bumps and keep it smooth. He said it brings up the stone, spreads it and then traffic repacks it. I share part of the driveway with a retired dairy farmer. I'm gonna follow his lead at first.

Yup your "local with more experience" can use a drag harrow, but he needs it once a month, because it only levels the bumps. It does absolutely NOTHING to shape his driveway properly, to shed water.
A rear blade is the right tool for the job.
You will need to develop some familiarity with using it, but it can give you a nice driveway, with a good crown to shed the rainfall.
Be certain to get at least an 84" blade, and with offset capability.
With the blade set at a significant angle, and extended, you WILL be able to pull gravel back onto your roadway from the far edges.
I know all about winter/freeze/thaw driveway conditions.
I lived in Minnesota for 23 years, and had a 1500 ft. driveway there.

 

[TerryR]

You don't need fancy hydraulics to grade with a rear blade. Here's a photo topic I posted a while back of my driveway, which I maintain with a simple old rear blade with fully manual controls: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/299055-grading-interesting-driveway.html

Of course, if you have money to burn, get all that stuff.

 

[ovrszd]

You don't need fancy hydraulics to grade with a rear blade. Here's a photo topic I posted a while back of my driveway, which I maintain with a simple old rear blade with fully manual controls: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/299055-grading-interesting-driveway.html

Of course, if you have money to burn, get all that stuff.

Sometimes ya wonder how mankind survived before all that fancy stuff huh Terry!!!!!

 

[Peter 315]

Sometimes ya wonder how mankind survived before all that fancy stuff huh Terry!!!!!

Speaking of fancy stuff anymore drone videos ?

 

[ovrszd]

Speaking of fancy stuff anymore drone videos ?

Not recently. We've had crappy weather for two months. I'm getting itchy though. Soon as it clears a little I'll try to get some video of farmers applying anhydrous. I'll post whatever I shoot.

Funny Drone story. Friend of mine being a nice guy offered to fly his drone up to the top of water tower to see if the overflow was functional. Wanted close up view. Made the mistake of standing on the opposite side of the large tower. Got close to the tower, then circled around it to where the overflow was. Drone lost contact and went into "Go Home" mode. Flew into the tower and fell 120 feet to it's death...... I laughed about it, he didn't. But hey, he laughed at me when I backed mine into a treetop.

 

[Peter 315]

Not recently. We've had crappy weather for two months. I'm getting itchy though. Soon as it clears a little I'll try to get some video of farmers applying anhydrous. I'll post whatever I shoot.

Funny Drone story. Friend of mine being a nice guy offered to fly his drone up to the top of water tower to see if the overflow was functional. Wanted close up view. Made the mistake of standing on the opposite side of the large tower. Got close to the tower, then circled around it to where the overflow was. Drone lost contact and went into "Go Home" mode. Flew into the tower and fell 120 feet to it's death...... I laughed about it, he didn't. But hey, he laughed at me when I backed mine into a treetop.

Its seems like a fun hobby I've been looking at them online what brand do you have?

 

[ovrszd]

Its seems like a fun hobby I've been looking at them online what brand do you have?

I have an Autel XSP. It's a quality machine, the company has excellent customer service. Autel is a gigantic corporation that has within the past 18 months moved into the Drone market. I'm a bit concerned about their survival. DJI has a firm grip on this market and vigorously attacks any company that tries to move in. They current have several infringement lawsuits pending against Autel. I don't like Bullies like that so I didn't buy DJI.

One thing you must accept. Whatever Drone you purchase will be boarding on obsolete within a year. With the additional accessories I've purchased I have $1500 in mine.