How to grade a road that has "ripples"

[ultrarunner]

Concrete, Blacktop or Pavers?

Seeing a lot of long curvy drives in pavers now... well, not a lot but they are becoming more popular.

 

[sixdogs]

When I lived in northern New England, I had a bank run gravel road like you likely have and had to help the town maintain my 3/4 mile road. It developed all sorts of issues, especially washboard ripples. The way I took them out was with an 8 ft HEAVY rock rake--landscape rake--and a small tractor with draft control. Draft control maintains a constant pressure on the implement so when the front wheels of the tractor dip into a ripple, the back implement won't lift up and create another ripple in back. It's very difficult to grade a road with our lighter equipment and no draft control because all of the implements just accentuate the ripples. I just drove up and down the road and the rake filled the low spots and skimmed the high spots.

By doing my road several times a year I eventually got is as flat as a pancake. It just takes time. Note here is that I id not read all the replies to the thread. Yes, a big grader will do it for a big price but they won't be back for touch ups as needed and you don't have one nor know how to use it. I added draft control to my tractor, learned how to use it and fixed my own road.

 

[ultrarunner]

Is draft control hydraulic with a sensor governing pressure/position?

 

[sixdogs]

Is draft control hydraulic with a sensor governing pressure/position?

Not sure about a sensor but it would have to have some way of slightly raising and lowering the 3PT arms based on the pressure being applied to the lift arms . There is no external "sensor" or switch or anything like that. It's all internal to the hyd system. I've added it to a Kubota MX5100 and L4300 and it was no big deal to install. Worked off the position control lever. Most tractors are set up for it but it's just not set up with a lever installed. Maybe search the net and there would be a better description of how it functions. I've read it but just forgot.

 

[airbiscuit]

Get one of these

 

[ultrarunner]

I've seen this in Germany and very popular in Austria... my project in Austria was too small so pavers hand set for the drive and walk.

Gravel roads will always have water bars...

Pavers are super eco friendly there... they allow the soil to breath and accept some water... water retention to recharge aquifers is a big deal with any permit approval process.

I was on septic until county put in sewer... had to hook up and it was a big deal.

The old septic tank had to be cleaned and the bottom punched and it was converted to a collection point for downspouts...

People in the country do seem to very conscious of these things... at least around my location...

Mandatory Garbage is required... several neighbors are allowed to go in on one can and each prides themselves on how little land fill waste they have... compost, reuse and recycle are the by-words...

 

[CalG]

Not sure about a sensor but it would have to have some way of slightly raising and lowering the 3PT arms based on the pressure being applied to the lift arms . There is no external "sensor" or switch or anything like that. It's all internal to the hyd system. I've added it to a Kubota MX5100 and L4300 and it was no big deal to install. Worked off the position control lever. Most tractors are set up for it but it's just not set up with a lever installed. Maybe search the net and there would be a better description of how it functions. I've read it but just forgot.

Draft control works the top link against a heavy spring. Check out the Ferguson System.

When the load on the ground engaging implement increases, the deflection of the spring moves the lift arm control valve lifting the draw links. That pulls the implement up and out of the soil, decreasing the load.