Dirt Road Material

[Pettrix]

Getting ready to do some road work on my private road. My options for a road base is either 3/8 minus "AB" material, which is basically sand and stones 3/8" or less.

The other option is crushed decomposed granite 1/4" in size.

I plan on utilizing the bonding agent at a later time once its compacted:
Soilworks®

Which would be be the better road material?

 

[crash325]

Getting ready to do some road work on my private road. My options for a road base is either 3/8 minus "AB" material, which is basically sand and stones 3/8" or less.

The other option is crushed decomposed granite 1/4" in size.

I plan on utilizing the bonding agent at a later time once its compacted:
Soilworksｮ

Which would be be the better road material?

Don't know where you are located. But around here and most places you can get what is called ABC. Once spread and compacted (with a little moisture) its almost as hard as concrete.

I would go there if possible. Looked at Soil works and their claims sound a little over blown.

Just Me

 

[Thomas]

Not knowing your location also if any water problems of sort,lots of driveways have hard pack...tighten/holds good.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Read this: Crushed Edwards Limestone Road Base - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[dmccarty]

ABC.

Later,
Dan

 

[Carykong]

I think the current state of your road and the topography will drive some of your decision making,too. Pictures?

 

[Pettrix]

The topography is mainly flat with a very slight gain in elevation (2%). The soil is typically clay and rocks.

Don't know where you are located. But around here and most places you can get what is called ABC. Once spread and compacted (with a little moisture) its almost as hard as concrete.

I would go there if possible. Looked at Soil works and their claims sound a little over blown.

Just Me

It would be in Northern Arizona, Prescott area.

I've seen the SoilWorks product and it does work. While never as good as a true asphalt driveway but if properly done, it does work. You need a proper base material. The product must be reapplied every 2 years with a light touch-up coat. All depending on the road traffic.

 

[D7E]

Read this: Crushed Edwards Limestone Road Base - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Limestone is the normal here .

 

[Carykong]

The sand/gravel option. We call that "crush and run" in Va. packs quickly and works best with level topography.

The 1/4 granite stone may be appropriate,particularly if your climate is arid. Sand/gravel mixtures can become very dusty in the dry season.

 

[RobertN]

Around here it would be 3/4"AB

Best is to compact it; unless you spin your tires a lot, it is a sturdy surface. Uncompacted is ok, but run a vibratory roller over it, and it is a really hard surface...

 

[Pettrix]

I will see if the quarries around there have limestone ABC. If they do, that would probably work better because of the limestone.

 

[Pettrix]

Around here it would be 3/4"AB

Best is to compact it; unless you spin your tires a lot, it is a sturdy surface. Uncompacted is ok, but run a vibratory roller over it, and it is a really hard surface...

They also have 3/4" AB but I was told that 3/8" AB is finer as there are less large rocks in it, so it is better for driveways.

 

[texasjohn]

I live in sight of about 15 or more quarries just West of I35 on the Edwards Plateau. I use what the quarry calls Superior Flex base.....put it 3-4 inches deep on top of old ranch road and smooth it down best possible, wait for rain to compact it down. Dusty in a drought but holds up well. Largest rocks are about 3/4 inch size and smaller, some fines. Locks together well. Recommend it. I think the mix of sizes is important. Cost is about $3.80 a ton. I have my own dump trailer to haul...thus cutting delivery cost to that of diesel and trailer depreciation/maintenance.

See photo with red cap pen for the kind of road base I use http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crushed_Edwards_Limestone_Road_Base

 

[shanehobson]

We used crushed concrete (recycled demolition waste) on out steep driveway. Stuck together really well.

 

[crash325]

The topography is mainly flat with a very slight gain in elevation (2%). The soil is typically clay and rocks.



It would be in Northern Arizona, Prescott area.

I've seen the SoilWorks product and it does work. While never as good as a true asphalt driveway but if properly done, it does work. You need a proper base material. The product must be reapplied every 2 years with a light touch-up coat. All depending on the road traffic.

ABC has cement as part of the mix ( C = Cement ) so you don't need to add anything. Don't think it needs to be refreshed or treated once down a packed.

Be a good idea to check with some of the other folks in your area and see what they have done and how its holding up.

 

[bearcreek paul]

I can't tell where your location is from my phone.In my area when the state berms the highway they are always looking for someplace close to where they are working to dump the berm.Makes for great driveway material and it's free.My neighbor got 10 dump truck loads last year.
You may want to check with your state road dept to see if they are doing any work in your area.

 

[Pettrix]

I called around and some of the quarries have limed AB. I got quoted $17 a ton delivered. I will go and look at the limed AB this week to see what it looks like.

So the Limed AB is $5 more per ton vs. the non-limed AB.

 

[Pettrix]

Should I go with 3/4" AB or go with 3/8" AB?

I like the finer 3/8" rock but will it wash away quicker than the 3/4"?

 

[rsewill]

Should I go with 3/4" AB or go with 3/8" AB?

I like the finer 3/8" rock but will it wash away quicker than the 3/4"?

3/4".

 

[Pettrix]

3/4".

Is it because it will pack down better with the larger pieces?