Gravel Driveway/Parking Space

denmarktwp · May 8, 2012

Hi all,

In preparing for a new pole building I've been working on getting some addtional driveway/park space built. I wanted it at the same elevation as my existing pavement and slab. So, I borrowed my neighbors rototiller to loose up the dirt that I want to excavate and have been using it on my JD 955 to haul out the dirt. This has been a lot of fun even though the weather hasn't been particularly cooperative. The space is 25' x 61' and I want to excavate about 10"-12". The local excavation guy says to use a larger rock fill on the bottom and about 6" of gravel on top of that. I have a roll of US 200 geotextile fabric to install under all of that.

These are some before pics

deezler · May 8, 2012

You only have the before pics? We need to see the process and end-results!

Sounds like you have the right plan - excavate off the top soil, geo-textile fabric, big rocks, smaller rocks. That's the blue print, near as I can tell, for long-lasting, quality gravel driveways and parking areas. Amazing how many people just toss down more pea stone and get bummed when it turns to muck.

Nice pups!

denmarktwp · May 8, 2012

deezler said:
You only have the before pics? We need to see the process and end-results!

Sounds like you have the right plan - excavate off the top soil, geo-textile fabric, big rocks, smaller rocks. That's the blue print, near as I can tell, for long-lasting, quality gravel driveways and parking areas. Amazing how many people just toss down more pea stone and get bummed when it turns to muck.

Nice pups!

Yes, I have more. I got started posting this morning as I was waiting for the gravel truck to arrive.

These are from the first tilling to take out. It's been wet on and off here so keeping at it has been difficult.

The dogs are very fun. They're about 8 and 9 months old now. They loved playing in the mud.

denmarktwp · May 8, 2012

These are of the final excavation before putting down the fabric. The first pic is a great example of how handy 4wd is when using these little CUTs. Backing out of an angle like that with a load of dirt wouldn't have been possible with 2wd. That 955 is an impressive tractor.

deezler · May 8, 2012

Nice. What is that monster machine in the background I spy?

When I was a kid, I would tag along with my dad to the local JD dealer for services & parts for his 175 riding mower. I would always grab a batch of brochures, and by far, the 955 was the tractor that I wanted and dreamt about. Seems pretty silly to think back on how many hours I spent as a 7-9 year old thinking about compact tractors, but that 955 seemed awful slick!

denmarktwp · May 8, 2012

deezler said:
Nice. What is that monster machine in the background I spy?

When I was a kid, I would tag along with my dad to the local JD dealer for services & parts for his 175 riding mower. I would always grab a batch of brochures, and by far, the 955 was the tractor that I wanted and dreamt about. Seems pretty silly to think back on how many hours I spent as a 7-9 year old thinking about compact tractors, but that 955 seemed awful slick!

It's a Case IH 5140. It was a bit of an overkill, impulsive purchase. Most I use it for plowing snow. It sure is a nice machine though.

I really like the 955. It's a nimble little chassis and has a good amount of power.