Box Blade and Weeds in Gravel

[lzicc]

I have a gravel driveway and in the summer on the sides of the driveway where you don't run over all of the time, the weeds and grass will grow in the gravel. Would running over the area with a box blade dig up the weeds then spread the gravel back down?

 

[KU Gator]

If you drop the scarficers down and go over it, it will dig up the weeds. They will return though. I bought a 15 gallon spray tank with a pump and a spot spray wand on it for under $100 on sale at TSC. I put it in the bucket of the FEL and put a trolling battery in there to run the pump instead of running it off the tractor battery. Then I can just drive down the driveway and spray round up type product or drive to an area with a lot of weeds and get off and spray.

 

[bikerdib]

Depending on the level of infestation, the problem with weeds and grass growing in gravel roads is the grass blades and the roots make it harder to level the gravel after you bust it up. The grass will form clumps that make it hard to get a smooth level surface. If the weeds are well established, Mow them down as short as possible, then you will probably have to use the tines to bust the gravel up. Finally, if there are large clumps of roots you can go back and remove the larger clumps by hand. Then you should be able to get a smooth job of leveling.

 

[TripleR]

Like KU Gator, spraying Roundup or Crossbow/Crossroads is part of our road maintenance. We use a Rhino as we have miles to cover.

 

[apease]

Using a box scraper and then following up with a drag harrow works really well for me. Using just the drag harrow alone one or two more times a year keeps it looking nice. Here's a description

Driveway

 

[kubotaman83837]

Using a box scraper and then following up with a drag harrow works really well for me. Using just the drag harrow alone one or two more times a year keeps it looking nice. Here's a description

Driveway

Very nice job...........One of these days maybe I'll get that good

 

[Boeing]

You HAD to have ADDED gravel.......the road looks NEW....:thumbsup:

 

[Tom_H]

I highly recommend reading this thread:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/138952-land-pride-grading-scraper.html

Though the title is about the Land Pride implement, the thread discusses almost every available implement for this task, their pros and cons, techniques, etc.

 

[petes]

That's the primary reason I built my boxblade... I got tired of hand pulling the weeds in the gravel parking area in front of my shop, and am not a big fan of using chemicals for convenience (we're on a private shallow well). I scrape up the gravel and weeds (1-2 inches deep) to one end, then spread it back out. The uprooted weeds and grass dry up and die and eventually blow away. Chemical free solution, and it looks better than it ever did before.

 

[AHNC]

"Everythingattachments" has a good video of both the box blade and grader in action.

 

[lzicc]

It looks like it would do the job. I too hate to use chemicals. The box blade seems like it would do the job if used correctly, plus I can use it for other projects.

Tom_H, I did read that thread and it had some good information.

 

[9973720wb19]

I have a gravel trail (through the woods) leading to my shop. I spary it sping and fall using a spot sprayer hook to the battery of my Kubota RTV900. get the job done faster than I can walk back to my shop on foot. Also keeps sticker bushes and other weeds down along the sides. It's not near my well so not worried about the spray.

 

[lzicc]

What kind of spray do you use? I've used vegetation killer that works well, but you could go broke buying it.

 

[TripleR]

What kind of spray do you use? I've used vegetation killer that works well, but you could go broke buying it.

I have used generic glycsphate and was recently told about a generic Crossbow.

 

[jdonovan]

I have used generic glycsphate and was recently told about a generic Crossbow.

Glyphosate is the spelling... and its trade name is roundup.

A reasonably priced, broad spectrum herbicide.

 

[lzicc]

I guess i could buy it at any garden supply store? Does it keep the weeds down for a good amount of time?

 

[TripleR]

Glyphosate is the spelling... and its trade name is roundup.

A reasonably priced, broad spectrum herbicide.

You are right, I missed the spelling. Roundup is the brand name that uses Glyphosate as its main ingredient. I have used generic Roundup with other names of which I forget now. I now use Roundup Ultra. When buying be sure to get the concentrate.

Interesting link:Sorting Through the Glyphosate Jungle

 

[jdonovan]

I guess i could buy it at any garden supply store? Does it keep the weeds down for a good amount of time?

Sorta... it only kills what it gets onto.

It has no residual effect, and breaks down in the environment fairly quickly. < 5 days if I remember correctly. Been a while since I read the MSDS.

The nice part about this herbicide is that it kills the entire plant, root system and all.

I still have to treat the driveway 2-3 times a year, but its quick, easy and effective.

BUT the time from treatment to plants dead is 5-10 days, so if you're the sort that wants instant gratification this is not the right choice. Its darn effective it just takes a bit of time to work its magic.

 

[lzicc]

That's why I would rather just scrape it every so often. It would be easier and cheaper.

 

[jdonovan]

That's why I would rather just scrape it every so often. It would be easier and cheaper.

And I've never met a weed that has developed a resistance to iron like they sometimes do to herbicides. :thumbsup: