How to gravel a 2-track?

[Champy]

Thanks for the good responses regarding using the delivery trucks to dump in only the two tracks.........but this will only work on a portion of the lane. Any further and they cannot get in or out of some spots.

Maybe I can have them do as much as they can to lessen the overall work involved. Then I'll try to figure out some attachment I can mount to my bucket for diverting the dumping action. I was trying to think of some sort of wedge that I could chain onto the bucket after picking up a full load, then if I dumped while moving it would divert the gravel from the middle to the sides of the bucket width......

 

[tommu56]

Champy

What about a skid with runners with 2 pieces of plywoood shaped like a letter A.
dump bucket of stone over it then nudge it forward with the bucket for next load.

Another brain storm!!!!! drag it behind/under dump as dump truck pulls forward dumping on to A for the areas you can get truck in to


tom

 

[teg]

I was planning on getting a big bucket full of gravel and tilting the bucket back for transport and maybe block out the middle of the bucket with plywood, secure with ratchet straps. Anyone try this? I have some 3/4 plywood and would cover (I guess) 4 feet leaving 6" on each side. Once the free flowing gravel stops, rock the bucket back and forth to shift the gravel from behind the plywood, to the outer edges? Still is a lot of work.



.

 

[Engine66]

I think what Tommu56 articulated so well is what I plan on trying. I also considered trying some kind of bucket attachment to divert the flow of stone as well, but it would take some time/effort experimenting with what actually works...and...once you find that it works, does it economize itself to make it easy and efficient to use? I wish I could order up a load and have truck dump in the tracks, but access is not possible. If I build an A-framed skid and give it a go, I will take some pics. I have already boxbladed and used scraper blades to fill the tracks in the past, but repeated drive-overs and water flow during rain and snowmelt just makes the same tracks. Time to try something new...

 

[westbrooklawn]

There is an old saying that is something to the effect of "a road without a ditch just becomes a ditch". From what you are describing, it sounds like you need to re-grade your road, crown it if possible, and provide side ditches to carry away water. Until you do that, you will continually fight the battle of the drive tracks washing out, even if you fill them with gravel. Just a suggestion for what it is worth...

 

[CbarJ in MO]

We always used are grain trucks. Just open the small grain door and stradle one track at a time. It works very slick! If you do not own a truck, someone not to far away will have one parked in a barn somewhere.

 

[daTeacha]

Don't underestimate where a good operator can take a dump truck. When you talk to someone about buying the gravel, ask if think they can handle the delivery and describe it to them. You'll basically be challenging their macho truck driving skills and might find they are willing to do the job for you. About the only major problem they might wonder about will be large branches or rock formations overhanging your trail.

If you have to spread it yourself and have a hump in the center of your two track, a 7 foot back blade would do wonders, too. It's not as sophisticated as a back blade, but it costs a lot less. Just spread the gravel as best you can with the bucket and then run over it with the rear blade set straight. The gravel will move to the sides and fill in the ruts.

For that matter, even if you don't have a center ridge on the drive, a 5 foot rear blade will move the material to either side, too, as would a 4 footer if can find one or make it by cutting the ends off a larger one. You could just drop the blade as you spread the stuff with your bucket and save some travel time.

 

[AlanB]

Don't underestimate where a good operator can take a dump truck. When you talk to someone about buying the gravel, ask if think they can handle the delivery and describe it to them. You'll basically be challenging their macho truck driving skills and might find they are willing to do the job for you. About the only major problem they might wonder about will be large branches or rock formations overhanging your trail.

QUOTE]

Hanna plays on this quite regularly when having stone delivered. The conversation usually goes something along the lines of, "I just don't think you guys will be able to get the stone where I need" and it is almost funny at times the lengths they go to, to prove her wrong.

Oh, and she hates it