Driveway Grading

[gusg]

I have a B7500HSD with a 48" First Choice box blade that I used for the first time to grade 300' of driveway with 100' of it up and down a 25 degree grade. Since this is my first experience with a box blade I found that it takes some practice. The driveway has not been graded in about 5 years. We bought the property a year ago. I was wondering how you do your driveway grading? Do you put the scarifers all the way down and rip it up and then smooth it? How often do you grade? Seems like a fun way to get some seat time.

That is how I did it but I found that I brought up a lot of dirt that hopefully will wash down when we get a good rain. The driveway does look much better and it is smooth. I did move some of the rock around during the course of breaking it up. I may need to bring in some rock. That would help. I also found that going up the grade with about a half full box of rock/dirt bogged the tractor down. It went from about 2000 RPM to 1200 RPM in 4WD until I reached the flatter area at the top.

Thanks.

 

[beenthere]

I try to avoid grading the gravel drive in the fall, as it doesn't get packed real good for winter snow removal.

However, that isn't timely information for you at this point. Grading is best done by working it all up and laying it back down. Just be sure to pack it as well as possible (many, many trips up and down with vehicle tires to pack ALL the loose gravel down). Then let the first few snows melt on the gravel and freeze (if in the north) before any aggressive snow removal to avoid moving off the freshly-graded gravel top.

If you have dirt mixed in, I would top it with 3-4 inches of new gravel (with lots of fines) to add to the depth (and I would do it in the spring, but that is taking a chance that the dirt you brought up will become mud and be a mess through-out the winter when intermittent thaws and rain come). Any new gravel should be packed well after spreading, before it has any chance to dry out. This will prevent the loose "marbles" on top that are #1 nuisance with a gravel drive. Packing, along with a crown in the middle, will also improve the water running off the gravel to the sides, rather than soaking into the gravel and eroding or making an unstable bed.

 

[Stonewall]

I agree with waiting untill spring for new gravel unless you can get it rolled in after you grade it down. The "turtle back" will help with your drainage and keep most of your material in place over the winter. Your post is unclear as to weather your tractor is brand new or not. You don't want to lug these little engines untill they are broken in a little bit (1st 100 hrs) so be carefull dragging the box uphill if it works the machine too hard.