which attachment to level a driveway?

[n3ckf]

So i have a 150' or so driveway, which has some gravel left on it now but is in need of leveling (and more gravel, its been several years since it was done). Its basically level (ie no significant grade) but i'd like it to be level.

Whats the best attachment to do this? (I have a B2601).
- i have a 3 point blade which i got from a friend. ive used it to grade dirt (when building a patio, in the field etc.)
- ive heard people use box blades for this (which i dont have yet)
- there may be other things (i've seen things that look like a box blade but dont have the "box" part but dont know what thats called)

Considering its a B machine (ie. not huge), what do people think is the best thing i should use/get for this task?

 

[Rebeldad1]

if its level anyway and you just want to add more....
order some crushed rock and have the driver spread it for you with his truck. finish with a hand rake.

 

[LittleBill21]

Land Plane has no back and is designed for gravel driveways

 

[nybirdman]

I have both a rear blade and box blade;box blade does the best but if you "reverse" the rear blade and drive forward it does a decent job of leveling.

 

[NCL4701]

I have a box blade and traditional back blade. For what you describe I’d use the box blade and leave the back blade in the shed.

If you had said you wanted to crown the road or pull gravel out of a ditch the answer would be different but you didn’t say any of that.

A land plane may also work well for your purpose. They aren’t as versatile as a box blade and I don’t have one. It is my understanding they are designed to level gravel/dirt, specifically roads.

 

[Thomas]

If you plan on ditching the sides of driveway rear blade does nice job.
All ready said have truck driver spread it than blade,for finish touch turn blade 180 degrees for finish touch.

 

[deezler]

Here's my own thread of discovery for gravel driveway maintenance.

I got talked out of buying a land-plane, and encouraged to fix my 3-pt top link situation and try my box blade. It worked well! Still kind of want a land plane, but those are one trick ponies. A proper box blade can do a LOT of tasks.

Poor man (ok, cheap sob) wants a land plane grader/scraper

Hey folks. Seeking some TBN wisdom on a land plane. We built our house in 2015 and ended up with around a 1000' of gravel driveway. I put in most of the driveway base myself by hauling many a dump trailer load of 2-3" crushed concrete, and getting deliveries of similar sized limestone. Since...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[Rebeldad1]

keep in mind he only has 150 feet. spending a lot of money doesnt make sense

 

[deezler]

^ good point. Just use your rear blade. With practice you will become an expert at it.

 

[chevyman29]

I love my land plane from bushhog
It has the ripping teeth . It is something of a 1 trick pony but it is also good for leveling up reclaimed yard or any area that's humpy.

 

[Grapple guy]

So i have a 150' or so driveway, which has some gravel left on it now but is in need of leveling (and more gravel, its been several years since it was done). Its basically level (ie no significant grade) but i'd like it to be level.

Whats the best attachment to do this? (I have a B2601).
- i have a 3 point blade which i got from a friend. ive used it to grade dirt (when building a patio, in the field etc.)
- ive heard people use box blades for this (which i dont have yet)
- there may be other things (i've seen things that look like a box blade but dont have the "box" part but dont know what thats called)

Considering its a B machine (ie. not huge), what do people think is the best thing i should use/get for this task?

I designed an attachment about 5 years ago because the county road I lived on got graded twice a year. Once in the spring and once in late fall, and it is the steepest road in the county. So needless to say Instead of tearing up my truck I graded the road. I recently put in a new driveway, 80 x 80 pad for a shop and a whole bunch of yard, 90% of all final grading was with this ground planer. Coming soon to Anbo mfg.

 

[diesel85]

I leveled my stone driveway with a box blade without ripper shanks installed. It works very well.

 

[Smokeydog]

Land plane works wonders especially recovering the stone you already have. Well worth the cost if you have a long steep driveway. People often comment that it looks like I just had new gravel delivered.

Regular grader blade angled and turned backwards works good for leveling. Adjust the side link and top link to give you the cut and contour you want.

 

[jkahan]

I have a B3200HD with tilt and level 3PT; I use both a box blade and scraper blade.

Box blade is best for leveling once you have the right grade / shape to your driveway (IMO of course). Scaper blade with tilt allows me to pull material from the side of the driveaway back to the center and create the right driveway shape / grade.

I use this stuff all the time, especially on trails. A lot of contractors have Harley rakes... too expensive for my needs -- I think they're in the $5-10K range. I also use my box blade for snow management.... the danger with either is pushing (going in reverse) as the 3PT side arms aren't designed for this and will bend under heavy load; I've replaced a few over the years. Hope this helps... josh

 

[oosik]

I have a mile long gravel driveway. I have/use the following - rear blade, roll over box blade, land plane grading scraper. Each has a specific use.

Rear blade - cleaning roadside ditches, crowning, snow removal - purchased new - $3940
ROBB(roll over box blade) - moving larger amounts of material around and onto the driveway - purchased new - $2920
LPGS(land plane grading scraper, with scarifiers) - potholes, riffles, wash outs - purchased new - $2250

If my driveway was only 150 feet or so - - just as Rebeldad 1 says. Have the delivery truck dump/spread it with a controlled tailgate and finish with a heavy garden rake. Unless you plan on extensive uses for one of the three implements listed above - make yourself a simple "drag". I tow this behind my ATV to level land. It would take longer, more passes, if I used it on my driveway but the cost - ~$20 - is more in line with what you need.

The spikes were an added "option" - brought the overall cost to - $20.

 

[oosik]

Making yourself a "drag". Use what you have available and your imagination. A log or two - an old railroad tie - an old set of bed springs, wood pallets with added weight. I can/do add weight to my wooden drag. A sack of sand on each corner - cement blocks on the center plywood cross. I turn this drag over and pull when I don't need the spikes.