Grading stone driveway maintenance - is a box blade the way to go?

[RASPULATOR]

my driveway is 150'x13' with a 100'x60' parking area of 1 inch stone ~5"thick. installed it 6 years ago and it could use some re-grading.
i'm guessing that dressing it once every couple of years is all i'll need. i don't own a box blade now ,but am thinking that my BX25 should handle a 4ft implement without issue.
i'm looking for opinions and advice on Own/rent.
i live on Cape Cod.

 

[Ed of all trades]

I use a york rake and love it. It spreads the rock well instead unlike a solid blade.

 

[The Fred]

I find a box blade is a bit heavy for stone spreading. I use an old submarine bunk bed frame (don't laugh it works) attached to the 3PH. After spreading I roll it with a heavy roller. You might get better/more replies if posted in one of the non-Kubota forums.

Fred

 

[boggen]

rear blade, box blade, land plane grader, drag harrow, rake, old portion of a telephone pole, chain link fence, etc.. etc.., multi choices, everything has a con/pro and certain items work better with a given situation. i tend to see folks with a min of 2 for longer gravel drive ways and dirt lanes (rear blade, box blade with scrafficer teeth, and/or land plane grader)

i might suggest a TNT (top n tilt) for 3pt hitch, other words get away from the manual adjustment turnbuckle for the top link, and same for one of the side links on the 3pt hitch. with a hydrualic cylinder, it and speed up and provide that nice feathering of professional look. with min time.

Tractor Attachments And Skid Steer Attachments For Any Tractor Or Skid Steer has video and descent description of many 3pt hitch stuff for tractors. if anything check the videos out, to get an idea of what each thing can do and how to adjust them.

 

[Tollster]

York rake, 3 implements in one, rake, scaffier and blade, in combination with pitch and height controls, got mine used on craigslist for 600, oldie but goodie, glad I didn't get anything else

 

[/pine]

If there are no deep rutted washouts or bad potholes etc...a landscape rake is the ideal implement for smoothing,removing wash boarding, redistributing displaced gravel etc. etc...

 

[walter boatwright]

I use a JD210C with all the topntilt with a 8 foot box blade.Cut and fill is the best way to scrape a road .And tilt the top link all the to drag and smooth . Just remember to keep a crown in the road.

 

[nc redneck]

A WR Long 4-in one bucket is by far the best driveway grader plus it does not tie up 3 point. Reason why so many pros and contractors use them. Think about 2 adjustable cutting edges about 36 inches apart with hydraulic down pressure available, also the ability to move piles of gravel in any amount needed. There is a steep learning curve to it.
After grading driveway you can pick up trees, fence post, railroad ties or almost anything without getting off tractor. Plus you don't have a much used implement sitting around. With all that said, I have 4 in 1 , box blade and would like to have scrape blade. Box blade is a good counter weight and good for final touch up.
As a buddy of mine says who does this for a living. If it ain't HST 4 Wheel Drive and 4- In one it aint worth having.
I am sure others would disagree. Look at profile and see if they have 4 in 1. Hard to knock it if you don't have one.
Scott

 

[Code54]

I take care of about ¾ mile of stone roadway and for normal maintenance I use a landscape rake and it does a great job dressing the road. If I need to re-crown the road or do more work then a reg. blade, land plane, etc is more useful.

 

[JMER817]

A landscape rake with gauge wheels is the perfect tool for you.