Gravel Driveway Maintenence Thread

[Tonyinohio]

I just invested a decent amount of money in mine with 400' of drain tile (3 main lines and 4 lateral lines) & 30 tons of 57's for a driveway on strong incline 150' long. I agree that less is more.

BTW.. The drain tile did the job along with the heavier gravel (fines wash away whereas the 57's let the water filter through to the tile. We've had several hard rains and the drive looks good as new.

 

[mkr7734]

Eddie, what works in Tyler TX. don't work here.
I use a Land Pride GS 1560 60" Grader Scraper or landplane if you wish. Our lane is 1/2 mile long. That and in the front half that does not have the stabilizer mat like the part I put in needs gravel every few years because without the mat the gravel just keeps working it's way to China.
What I have found that works good is I keep some material on hand and in the breakout season (that would be when the frost comes out of the ground for those southerners ) I fill the holes with a shovel out of the bucket and keep driving over them till the frost is gone then grade. That seems to work best.

The stabilizer mat makes all of the problems of frost go away. The 1/4 mile I installed 14 years ago has never sunk or pumped at breakout. I have added gravel but nothing like needed on the front section without the mat.

 

[otlski]

If I am lucky the first snow will fall after the ground/driveway freezes minimizing damage due to plowing snow. If it is this year, no such luck. In fact, just plowed five inches tonight and that only adds to the "driveway" I have to retrieve/reclaim from the woods in few weeks. Steep terrain, frost heaves, plowing, runoff from regular heavy rains, all make it necessary to fix or groom once or twice a year.

 

[Rustyiron]

That's just crazy talk. This is a forum where we like excuses to buy toys ,,,,, er.....tools!

:laughing::laughing::thumbsup:

 

[Creamer]

That's just crazy talk. This is a forum where we like excuses to buy toys ,,,,, er.....tools!

I know but I have lots of other toys!

 

[RobS]

For those using a "land plane" type of implement, I'm guessing your gravel is pretty consistent in size? How would it work with some bigger rocks showing through? And yes, I need more gravel added to my drive!

 

[Rustyiron]

For those using a "land plane" type of implement, I'm guessing your gravel is pretty consistent in size? How would it work with some bigger rocks showing through? And yes, I need more gravel added to my drive!

I am very good at ripping out the bigger rocks that HAD been mostly burried!:laughing:
My wife gives me the "air quotes" as she say's I see you "fixed" the driveway!

 

[RobS]

I am very good at ripping out the bigger rocks that HAD been mostly burried!:laughing:
My wife gives me the "air quotes" as she say's I see you "fixed" the driveway!

:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[bironacad]

I thought we already went over this...the "don't touch it" plan does not account for areas that get frost (like all the other posts above), or are subject to disruption from snow plowing?

lol I immediately looked to see if it was Eddie from Texas, lol. I use a box blade and add to my drive every other year and if money were not a consideration...........

 

[timswi]

I buy a $500 tri-axle load of limestone every year...I did use the landscape rake to smooth it out one year and it worked well--Even with multiple tri-axle loads of ground asphalt and 15 years of limestone..Getting tired of maintaing a right of way to be honest...My Driveway is trouble free thankfully.