Recently, I purchased a Massey 135 tractor to restore, with the ultimate goal of using it to maintain our gravel driveway. The driveway is about 1000 feet long, has a somewhat steep grade, and winds it's way up to our house with one curve that's almost a 90 degree turn. Currently, my tractor is torn down being restored, but when the time comes to begin working on the driveway, I anticipate potential problems with my father-in-law who lives just below us on the same road.
The driveway has suffered repeated problems for years because my father-in-law has this strange notion that a bowl-shaped road is correct. I know for a fact that this is not correct and that the road should be graded with a proper crown so water can flow into the ditches, rather than going down the road and creating washouts. He has two tractors and constantly comblains about water running down the road when it rains, yet does nothing to address the actual problem, despite having been told by many people, including myself, what is wrong and what needs to be done to correct the problem.
My concern is that when my tractor is finished, and I begin working on the road to correct the problems, that he will go right behind me and screw it all up again, or worse yet, a family feud of sorts could erupt. My wife says it will become the "battle of the tractors", something I'd like to avoid. But still, I intend to fix this road and be done with these constant problems, most of which have been caused by poor maintenance.
My father-in-law is one of the most stubborn old men I've ever known, but I'm equally stubborn, if not more so. Does anyone know how I can fix the road, while keeping the peace? Currently, my plan is to just fix the road and let the chips fall where they may, but if there is a better way to handle this, I'd love to know what it is.
The driveway has suffered repeated problems for years because my father-in-law has this strange notion that a bowl-shaped road is correct. I know for a fact that this is not correct and that the road should be graded with a proper crown so water can flow into the ditches, rather than going down the road and creating washouts. He has two tractors and constantly comblains about water running down the road when it rains, yet does nothing to address the actual problem, despite having been told by many people, including myself, what is wrong and what needs to be done to correct the problem.
My concern is that when my tractor is finished, and I begin working on the road to correct the problems, that he will go right behind me and screw it all up again, or worse yet, a family feud of sorts could erupt. My wife says it will become the "battle of the tractors", something I'd like to avoid. But still, I intend to fix this road and be done with these constant problems, most of which have been caused by poor maintenance.
My father-in-law is one of the most stubborn old men I've ever known, but I'm equally stubborn, if not more so. Does anyone know how I can fix the road, while keeping the peace? Currently, my plan is to just fix the road and let the chips fall where they may, but if there is a better way to handle this, I'd love to know what it is.