restoning the drive

[jima1]

Would like to pretty up my circular drive a bit, getting ready to sell. After 10+ yrs the old stone is well compacted, with the usual strips of grass/weeds in the center and along the sides. Still fairly flat except for ruts at entrance, belgian block curb has held in the sides. Any suggestions on proper preparation here, or should I just spread out a load of stone and walk away? what's a good technique for spreading/smoothing the stone?

Available attachments are 5' rear blade, 5' rake, FEL (no gauge wheels or hyd top link, but tractor does have position control).

Thanks for your comments.

Jim A

 

[NYTrainer]

Looks like you have just the right implements for this job. I use the gauge wheels on the rake though and wonder if the position control is an acceptable alternative. The nice part about the gauge wheels is that you set the height of the rake (say 1" above the wheels) and just drop the 3 pt down all the way. That way it floats over your driveway depositing new stones in an even layer.

I will assume that the driveway was not originally an "oil and stone" job but rather stones spread over a compacted base.

Before you buy more stone you may want to try this. W/O gauge wheels, lower the rake about an inch into the existing stone. As you drag the rake it "picks" the stones out of the base material. Do this a few times and the "fines" (smaller stones, dirt, sand, etc.) will settle in below the larger stones. If you have small stones as your top layer you will have to angle the rake some to "catch" those stones. Usually if you go over the driveway a few times in this manner that is all that's needed.

This really spruces up my bluestone driveway. You can spray some Round Up on the weeds and grass growing in the driveway and if neccessary cut down any "humps" with the box blade. If it has been a very long time since the driveway was originally set, I'm sure alot of the stones are deeply imbedded in the base material. A few yards of new stones may still be necessary for the best look.

Hope this makes some sense and helps you.
David

 

[jima1]

Thanks, David, that's very helpful. I realize gauge wheels would be ideal, but this is a "get it done with what's available" job /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif Raking it first sounds like an excellent idea, you are right there might already be enough stone there to get it looking decent again /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif regards, Jim A.