Grading How would you fix this road?? (w/pics)

[Ruark]

I appreciate all the replies. Keep in mind, however, that this is in central Texas. We don't use "gravel" down here for roads. This is crushed limestone. There's no "big rock" base of any kind. There are some "bigger" rocks in the road, but they're not part of any "base," they're just "bigger rocks."

Some of you people are posting from as far away as Canada. I appreciate your input, but your roadbuilding approach is totally, totally different from what we have down here.

Thanks,
Ruark

 

[/pine]

This is a perfect example of geography making a difference...here in southern Appalachia...if you try to add new gravel on top of tightly compacted surface...the new gravel will migrate off the compacted surface in a very short time...
The same thing goes with pot holes etc...just filling a pot hole with gravel (even with fines) will just wash out after a few storms and traffic...to effectively resurface or make a repair the compacted substrate must be scarified then topped off with the new material like crusher run etc...

 

[flyingcow]

It may not be sound advice, but I'd go with a box blade w/teeth/rippers? Obviously a heavy duty one if you can afford it. Go slow light and easy at first. Seems you could loosen up stuff, than use your rock rake. I agree, i think a rear blade wouldn't work very well. Basically what "/pine" said.

Good luck

 

[logan97]

As already stated moisture content is very important .

 

[beenthere]

I appreciate all the replies. Keep in mind, however, that this is in central Texas. We don't use "gravel" down here for roads. This is crushed limestone. There's no "big rock" base of any kind. There are some "bigger" rocks in the road, but they're not part of any "base," they're just "bigger rocks."

Some of you people are posting from as far away as Canada. I appreciate your input, but your roadbuilding approach is totally, totally different from what we have down here.

Thanks,
Ruark

In WI we use crushed limestone too, and it is better than gravel. Gravel can be a generic term used for whatever the trucks will deliver locally. The limestone packs better than our gravel, and better than those who have only shale to work with. Knowing the rocks are not part of the base (wonder why someone would dump them on your drive), helps.

Now if you know better how to do it in TX, let us know how you do it and some pics how it turns out.

 

[Regal]

Concrete it and your done!!

 

[jbooth]

First off, your road looks darn good to me. Wish the roads at my farm were as good. If you are ruining tires on that I would say get better tires. Then I would check with the county and see if they would blade the road with a "real" grader. If you know someone who works for the county, you might get by with a case of beer or a fifth of Jack Daniels. Heavy roller might work after a rain.
If I had to chose between a straight or box blade, I would choose the straight blade set at the most extreeme angle.

 

[texasjohn]

Ruark, welcome to TBN:thumbsup:

I may be close to you, am north of Austin. Come see me if you wish. There are over a dozen quarries within a few miles of me. I'll let you practice on my road at no extra charge, even can use my equipment to see how it works.

I think you are in better shape than you may appreciate. If you have that much road base, then you don't need anymore. A box blade with rippers will stir up the material and smooth it down again, assuming you focus on how to run the box blade... a subject of numerous threads.

Your box blade WILL need additional weight to get the job done...I use almost 1000 EXTRA lbs on mine. The larger rocks will need to be hand removed.

 

[mjncad]

Welcome Ruark. What about about a landplane A.K.A. grading scraper?

Land Pride Grading Scrapers

 

[Gary Fowler]

The only way you will get those larger rocks out is with a scarifier of some type like those on a Heavy duty box blade or a chisel plow pulled very slowly. All the large rocks are going to leave some holes that have to be filled in with fines and compacted. You will need to scarify the whole road bed, remove the large stuff, regrade and compact. Once you have made a few passes with the box blade, scarifier or chisel plow, then if you have a landscape rake, you could likely pull all the larger stuff to one side, then you would need to grade the road to a slight crown in the middle, a couple of inches high in the middle is good: some folks crown it so much that it is like driving on a 10 degree slope. Then you need to compact it again. . A heavy roller compactor would be nice to pull over it a few times if you can find one, otherwise maybe run your tractor over it to compact it. 1000 feet of road surface is going to take a while to properly work it.