Ditch maintenance

[rogdan]

We have about a 1/2 mile of gravel drive to maintain on the farm. Much of it was cut wider and improved in the past year so the banks are settling some now and we have some small slips. The plan is to purchase a tractor between spring and fall for this and many other chores.
Since this may impact what tractor we eventually purchase, what implement(s) to keep the ditches clear and flowing?
Thanks for any advice

 

[DaryleD]

I am thinking a rear blade would be good for the ditch. I think that possibly a york rake or box blade to keep the driveway groomed. Since we are spending your money; I'm thinking that you could get the backhoe I've always wanted. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Good luck on whatever you decide!
Daryle.

 

[MarkV]

Rear blade is what I have used. You will want one that will swing out to the side and also tilt. The blade can also be used for the road gravel but if you have the funds I prefer a boxblade for the gravel work.

MarkV

 

[smiley]

If your banks are sliding you won't want to pull that material into the road. Your road will turn into a muddy mess when it rains. You need to get that dirt out of there and a loader on your tractor would probably do it. If funds are available, you could hire a gradall to trim the ditches the first time, then your rear scraper should maintain it OK.

 

[rogdan]

Thanks for the info guys,
Now that I'm actually living on the farm I keep finding more things I need or want to accomplish.

 

[Woody_NH]

A rear blade that will both tilt and offset is the tool for the ditch line. A landscape rake with wheels to control depth is the tool for drive surface.

First use the rake to pull material from sides and then to set the crown. Then one pass of the tilted offset blade to clear the ditch line and then one final light pass with the rake to feather the edges.

Of course you may get 15 other equally valid suggestions. You can never have too many attachments. By the way, get the optional skid shoes with the blade. Helps control depth especially if you use the blade to move snow.

 

[djradz]

Couldn't agree more! Blade for ditch and first few passes, rake to dress the top and feather the edges.

 

[PILOON]

As suggested blade for first passes(tilted and angled will draw the finish material towards the center and crown as well).

Then what I do is reverse my blade and make a few passes to provide that finished grooming look.
Works real well for me.

Because the initial passes (tilt and angle) are a bit tricky my plan is to add guage wheels to my blade this spring.
Otherwise reverse blade dragging smoothes out the 'whoopie-doos'

Essentially I believe reverse blade has about the same effect as dragging a rake.

My experience and opinion. (based on maintaining some 5-6 drives annually)

 

[rogdan]

Thanks for the suggestions of tools and technique!
The best news these are some of the least expensive tractor implements /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I hoped and am now convinced that this can be done without pulling the mess into the now finished road.

 

[ToadHill]

I've had great success keeping my ditches flowing by just running the tractor wheels in the ditch once in the spring and again in the fall. If you do it when the ground is wet but not saturated it will leave enough of an impression ( better with loaded tires) that's deep enough for all but the worst rain. If a spot starts to full with silt all it takes is a bit of work with the bucket.