This is BLASPHEMY, but here goes...

[Sysop]

As someone who started out doing things on both an ATV and UTV then moved to a tractor, I can tell you one of the major problems with an ATV or UTV is ground speed. Lack of weight is another, but that has been well hashed by others in previous posts. Fact is, to get the ground speed to work with, you need to have the ATV idling along. That presents a power issue on hills or when tools "load up". When you lack power and give it the throttle, they gain speed rather rapidly and go too fast to do the work that needs done. Maintaining a steady speed that performs the work, but also providing consistent and smooth power and torque isn't what most ATVs or UTVs excel at and it gets tiring quickly.

If all you want to do is maintain a road, you may get away with it. But I think three things will make it less pleasant. First, the lack of weight will mean more passes to do the same work. Depending on your machine and terrain, a steady working speed may be difficult to maintain. And the third would be the amount of dust you and your machine may be swallowing. Setting lower to the ground, that is always a concern. Keep an eye on your temps too, some ATV/UTV cooling systems aren't very efficient when going slow under load (older Rhinos for one).

 

[TSO]

Skip the front blade idea... you'll only break things...here's a tool designed specifically for your situation.

ATV Driveway Graders - Gravel Rascal® - ABI Attachments

 

[zzvyb6]

Sell the tractor and use some of the money to pay for a concrete driveway. Use the rest of the money for something else (gates, pillars, lighting, bronze address number plate).

 

[knukey]

2 years ago I bought a zero-turn to cut my 6 ac yard after cutting it with my tractor for 8 years. The zt cuts it a little quicker, a lot less damage to the yard, cut my weedeating time a lot but I still need the FEL on the tractor to stand the 60" heavy deck up to clean/service it !!!

- Why not use a floor jack?

 

[knukey]

I think the day may come when you miss the sound of a diesel

- Hah, my Woods 5215 is DIESEL. That'll satisfy the need for the sound!

 

[knukey]

A drag harrow might work ok for raking the driveway behind an ATV. Here is an example: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641649_200641649
I would think the box blade would be too much for the ATV

- I've thought of this option too. The videos online show them working, but the gravel is LOOSE. I suppose if you ride over the gravel enough it would loosen. My FIL may have one I can try.

 

[Cougsfan]

- I've thought of this option too. The videos online show them working, but the gravel is LOOSE. I suppose if you ride over the gravel enough it would loosen. My FIL may have one I can try.

Most drag harrows can be pulled in two directions. The one you use most is the fingers pointing back. That is not very aggressive but is what you will likely use most of the time. The second way is to turn it around and have the fingers point forward. That is quite aggressive and will dig up compacted gravel. And if that is't enough, get some weight, like a cut off section of railroad tie, or better yet a chunk of railroad track, and improvise a way to secure to the drag harrow. Then it not only will be aggressive, it will do a better job of leveling. It actually does a better job than a box blade for standard gravel driveway upkeep in my opinion.

 

[bspeedy]

Blasphemy, indeed...

I'm firmly in the tractor camp. Actually, I'm in the two or three tractor camp. I have implements that I have use less than yearly that I will keep forever in case I need them. In the case of a tool with an engine, I'd say - if you don't need it, get rid of it. If it's not making your life better, it's making it worse!

 

[airbiscuit]

These guys groom their road by dragging logs! (It gets best near the end). All you need is a willing neighbor!

 

[BTDT2]

I'm still working on your use of "BLASPHEMY" i.e blas·phe·my,ˈnoun "the act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God", unless perhaps you consider your tractor 'sacred'?