I Stink At Removing Snow From My Gravel Driveway

[zzvyb6]

I've done an 8' York rake with a 2x12 clamped on the tines, a 47" front snow blower, an 8' Western plow, a 7' snow pusher, and a broom. Broom by far is the best, fastest and cleanest. Set the tines maybe 1" above the gravel. Never picked up a single stone. Can go as fast as the machine runs. JD1435 goes faster than I can stand the ride. Drive on it a few times afterwards with the broom up to pack it down and I'm done. If more that 12" of snow expected (Maybe onece per season), get on it early.
Rake is ok but rear mounted you have to watch out where the edge is when going forward, (and still picks up gravel). Snowblower WAY too slow, snow pusher: where do you stash the snow ?) Plow is next best but leaves a berm and PITA to mount up (while it's snowing of course). Plus the broom has other uses on my concrete pads, does sidewalks clean, and can even do grass and dirt corrals. Snow (and any other unwanted substance) nicely distributed far away from the source. Sht happens, sht burns, and sht flies now too !!!

 

[oosik]

However - this will be year number six that I have not had to do ANY snow plowing. Driveway - mailbox area - yard. We got a good solid three inches yesterday. Today - @3PM - there isn't even traces of that snow in the shaded areas. Warmer weather and rain -----POOF, it's all gone.

The way it's going around these parts - time to consider pineapple and banana plantings.

 

[ruffdog]

However - this will be year number six that I have not had to do ANY snow plowing. Driveway - mailbox area - yard. We got a good solid three inches yesterday. Today - @3PM - there isn't even traces of that snow in the shaded areas. Warmer weather and rain -----POOF, it's all gone.

The way it's going around these parts - time to consider pineapple and banana plantings.

Same here. Nearly the entire state is snow-less....strange. The little snow we did get I shoveled.

 

[jyoutz]

Same here. Nearly the entire state is snow-less....strange. The little snow we did get I shoveled.

We had an 18” storm on November 5, then nothing at all in December.

 

[CalG]

I just got a second set of edge tamers. (Buy American!)
Having two loader tractors will do that ;-) I put large skids on the front mount blower . But that's another tractor again ;-)

Don't get me started on the other tractor fitted with the front "Western" blade.///// ;-)

 

[Blue Mule]

But allowing snow to melt into the gravel makes a mushy mess of the road.

It's going to be a mushy mess anyway. It's not like if you plow it the gravel will stay dry.

I just don't plow gravel. Gravel provides much better grip than pavement when it's snowy and there's no need to waste fuel, wear on equipment, and risk tearing up the smoothness of the road.

 

[jyoutz]

It's going to be a mushy mess anyway. It's not like if you plow it the gravel will stay dry.

I just don't plow gravel. Gravel provides much better grip than pavement when it's snowy and there's no need to waste fuel, wear on equipment, and risk tearing up the smoothness of the road.

Not really. Having a foot of snow melt into the gravel makes the road really soft. If I can remove it from the road before it melts, the road bed doesn’t go to crap. Removing snow like I do with a reverse blade doesn’t tear up the road smoothness. But driving on a soft road does tear up the road.

 

[ruffdog]

Not really. Having a foot of snow melt into the gravel makes the road really soft. If I can remove it from the road before it melts, the road bed doesn’t go to crap. Removing snow like I do with a reverse blade doesn’t tear up the road smoothness. But driving on a soft road does tear up the road.

I think it just depends on the quality of the road bed if moisture and thawing will affect it. My drive has a strong base that even a propane truck can drive on it when the frost is coming out of the ground. It never "goes to crap". Everyone has different conditions to deal with.

 

[ruffdog]

I just got a second set of edge tamers. (Buy American!)

If I was using a bucket for snow removal on gravel, I would buy those in an instant.

 

[jyoutz]

I think it just depends on the quality of the road bed if moisture and thawing will affect it. My drive has a strong base that even a propane truck can drive on it when the frost is coming out of the ground. It never "goes to crap". Everyone has different conditions to deal with.

True. I have clay soil so removing the snow is important. If someone was gravelly, sandy, or rocky soil it will hold up no matter what.