Grading Gravel Road Maintenance

[hosspuller]

Now I need to check my Blade depth, I didn't check it when I stated using it and I am thinking it is lower than the sides, I think I need to bring it level with eh bottom of the sides.

Actually, I think you want the edges to be about 1/2 to 3/4 inch lower than the side plates. On a level surface, set the side plates on a wood board. Then drop the blades to the ground. This set the blades to the thickness of the board. The side plates with their skid shoes set the blade depth and smooth out washboard effects. That's why the land plane is more effective and easier than a rear blade or a box blade that transports material.

Road Boss instructions are much more clear. Road Boss Operator Instructions: English :: Road Boss Grader

 

[ovrszd]

Yep, cutters slightly below side plates.

As to crown. Build your crown from the base material of your roadbed. Don't add loose stone to build a crown.

 

[Scrambler82]

Actually, I think you want the edges to be about 1/2 to 3/4 inch lower than the side plates. On a level surface, set the side plates on a wood board. Then drop the blades to the ground. This set the blades to the thickness of the board. The side plates with their skid shoes set the blade depth and smooth out washboard effects. That's why the land plane is more effective and easier than a rear blade or a box blade that transports material.

Road Boss instructions are much more clear. Road Boss Operator Instructions: English :: Road Boss Grader

Interesting read, thx.

My Blade is approximately 1/2" below the side and although I can lift the Lane Plane a little to lose the content or drag less material, I find I am digging more than I think I should be or maybe that is want to, not sure yet !

Had some rain end of last week, was waiting for it to dry out some, weather report says no rain for a while so I think it is time to hit the driveway again. I am still removing material from the upper driveway, I am trying to lower it about 12", don't ask why, just something I have in my head to create a rise along the upper section instead of a rise then a drop.

I didn't put the driveway in so not sure what is underneath, still playing games, wish I had either put the drive in or the house foundation, I would either lowered one or raised the other to get the approach I want.

Thanks or the Road Boss Articles, I will be reading some other soon.

Ltr

 

[Scrambler82]

OK I separated these posting to keep the subject separate.

When I lower my drive to the point I want, actually below the point I want, what are the best materials to start a base with ?
AND is the 3/4" Crush Stone ok on top or is there a better size ? I'm not thinking for looks but for durability !

As I've said before, I am cutting the upper drive for a new lower approach angle to the house area. Once I get there I need to build the base and the top material up to the level and angle I want but I don't know what is good and what is bad types of material to use.

Thanks for any assist.

Ltr / Merry Christmas.

 

[deezler]

I put in a base of ~3" crushed concrete for my initial driveway/road. It was pretty rough to drive on for a while, but the concrete and semi trucks during building of the house smashed it down into a super solid base (excellent compaction). But the bigger a stone size you can tolerate on the initial layer, the better your road stability will be over time. Small stone laid directly onto soil will eventually disappear into it.

I have naturally sandy soils though, which helps make things easier. If you are really lowering your drive 12" in some areas, don't just dig a giant trench! Make sure your road bed still has a big crown and great drainage on each side, if you can. Then build the road UP from there. People who dig a trench and then fill it in with stone often end up unhappy (its also really expensive to need that much fill/stone). But you being in southern CA, I would suspect dry soils and weather, yes?

 

[PILOON]

Crowning a road base is no secret.
Adjust your blade or grader with the rt side lower and angled towards the center and drive up and then back on the other side.
That'll tilt or grade all the surplus to center.
Next comes that 3 rd pass (blade straight) to slightly flatten the center 'pile' that ends up in a crown.
On that last pass I like to reverse my blade and add some speed.

 

[Scrambler82]

I put in a base of ~3" crushed concrete for my initial driveway/road. It was pretty rough to drive on for a while, but the concrete and semi trucks during building of the house smashed it down into a super solid base (excellent compaction). But the bigger a stone size you can tolerate on the initial layer, the better your road stability will be over time. Small stone laid directly onto soil will eventually disappear into it.

I have naturally sandy soils though, which helps make things easier. If you are really lowering your drive 12" in some areas, don't just dig a giant trench! Make sure your road bed still has a big crown and great drainage on each side, if you can. Then build the road UP from there. People who dig a trench and then fill it in with stone often end up unhappy (its also really expensive to need that much fill/stone). But you being in southern CA, I would suspect dry soils and weather, yes?

Thanks forte reply.
My drive is 15 feet wide, flat across, no crown.
I didn't get to it today but tomorrow I will start the edge cuts, after tha tis where it get fuzzy, I have to make two overlapping drags over the center to get the full width of the drive.

I understand the edge title to the Land Plane but the center has me thrown, maybe I should just leave the center for a while until can get a build up.

My soil is hard, very hard when dry, but add some water and MUD appears, I think there is a lot of clay around here, when wet it is slippery.

I am trying just to keep it leveled up for the time being, I will start working the edges and see where it goes, once I get the upper road lowered I will get some of the 3/4+ or maybe even 1"+ spread that some, in fact the Truck Drivers spread it out pretty good when unloading if you ask them to; that will help.
Next step after that, I will need to attempt to use the Land Plane soon the stone.

Ltr

 

[Scrambler82]

Crowning a road base is no secret.
Adjust your blade or grader with the rt side lower and angled towards the center and drive up and then back on the other side.
That'll tilt or grade all the surplus to center.
Next comes that 3 rd pass (blade straight) to slightly flatten the center 'pile' that ends up in a crown.
On that last pass I like to reverse my blade and add some speed.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Scrambler82]

OK, so I've made the last couple of posting but I have another question.

I used the Land Plane (LP) as my Tool.
I have pretty much leveled the driveway, still needs some compaction.

My next step, I think< is to add some 1 1/2"+/- crushed Stone, this will make the base on top of the dirt.

After that... again I'm open, let it set, run over it as much as possible to compact it.

If above sound good, what is the next step... more stone but smaller, how small ?

AND... if I use the LP to level the stone, should I adjust the blades differently, and are the skids ok, I mean... will they ride the stone ok, not dig in.


I ask a lot of question and I am sorry if it bothers someone, but with my age and a little OCD/PTSD I find it easier for me to know the answer before it happens.

Thanks all for answering my questions even thought I didn't start this thread, it is appreciated !

My Wife says she will be more thankful once I finish the road..., LoL !

Added
p.s. I am thankful that there is a Site like this, information is given freely, no judgment, a little laughter, all is good !

God Bless all ! I prey that all of you have a better new year, good health and prosperity in what ever you do.

 

[bcp]

I'm just surprised that someone in SoCal has a muddy driveway problem.



Bruce