Looking for a book

[Bob_Young]

Can anyone recommend a book to help with some simple projects? I need to improve a couple of gravel/crushed stone driveways and put in a couple more. Also need to provide drainage for pond that overflows one of the driveways. Would like to do it right the first time.

The landscaping books I've looked at on Amazon seem to be about flower beds, gardens and shrubs....very "artsy craftsy". The excavating books are about building roads. Need something like "Landscaping for Dummies" but more utilitarian.

Thanks.
Bob

 

[bczoom]

If you don't mind using a computer instead of paper, you're already at the right place /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sorry, can't help if you want paper.

 

[Darren]

Both the USDA and the forestry service have published booklets on road building that are more in line with the needs of a property owner as compared to building a public highway. I've seen them on ebay. You may also be able to find something via

www.bookfinder.com

There's one available if you search using USDA as author and roads as the keyword. You can also check with your local Farm Services Agency also check online with the Government Printing Office.

The booklets I've seen are useful because they address drainage. If you need to put in culverts or water bars, you'll usually find info on sizing and/or spacing.

 

[oliver28472]

Look in above here in the owning/operating forum. A good thread there on building gravel drives. Contact USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) about your drainage.

 

[hazmat]

I'm sure the Cornell Cooperative Extension could help you out. Go big red ('97)...

 

[boomer4snow]

I got a book when I got my first dozer called "Moving the Earth." When you are done reading all 1400 some odd pages, you can use it as rear ballast for your FEL work. It is very very well written and covers darn near everything you could ever want to do with a pile of dirt and equipment to "persuade it" It also covers what implements etc do the best job for a given project in mind. Try E-bay, they sell for over $100 new.

 

[KiotiJohn]

I think you'll find this article posted by TBN member HAZMAT very helpful for roads and road drainage. John
maine camp roads

 

[California]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I got a book when I got my first dozer called "Moving the Earth." When you are done reading all 1400 some odd pages, you can use it as rear ballast for your FEL work. It is very very well written and covers darn near everything you could ever want to do with a pile of dirt and equipment to "persuade it". -boomer4snow)</font>

Agreed; a classic of the English language. I read it cover to cover years before I ever thought about buying a tractor. This book contains more good sense than any other I can think of on any subject.

Its extremely comprehensive. I just opened mine and the first thing I saw was railroad track layout for underground mining.

Some quotes:

"Rules of Thumb ...
Sheepsfoot Compaction of Subgrade - continue passes until tamper 'walks itself out'."

In a section on Stuck Machinery:

"Applying brute force to pulling out a deeply bogged truck may result in getting it out minus its rear axle assembly and wheels, a partial victory that brings little satisfaction."

There's a used copy on Ebay for $30, probably a Second Edition. I have an old First Edition (1955) and it seems so comprehensive I don't know what they could have added later - maybe updated the equipment descriptions. I strongly recommend it.

 

[jmc]

Even though you asked for a book reference, talking to a local excavator will give you a feel for local soil conditions and economical materials. For example, one of those government books recommended nothing less than 12 inches of base for a driveway. Well, maybe if the government is paying for it but my excavator used 4 inches of #2's under 4 inches of #57's and its held up for 13 years so far. He'd put in enough driveways around here to know that.

John

 

[Glenn9643]

List of military electronic publications might have something. The "FM-5-" series pertain to engineering...

 

[Darren]

Cover to cover? That book is almost an encylopedia for contactors. I've still got the one I bought for $25 in the 70's. As good as it is, it's not oriented to the guy working on a driveway or even on a long road on his property.

FWIW, the local NRCS guy is also looking for something on road building and maintenance for local farmers. FSA is also a dead end.

 

[Bob_Young]

I've found "Moving the Earth" over at ABEBooks.com. Used prices from about $27 on up. However, there are different authors shown for some of the listings. Was Herbert Nichols the author of the book being recommended?

Oh, and today I ordered "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Landscaping" from Amazon. That oughta cover me for some of what's gonna happen here. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

Thanks, everyone, for responding.
Bob

 

[Darren]

Nichols was the author when the book was copyrighted in 1955.

 

[Bob_Young]

For anyone who stumbles on this thread in the future----
The Gravel Driveway thread in the Owning and Operating forum hit paydirt with this link:
http://mainegov-images.informe.org/dep/blwq/docwatershed/camproad.pdf

Haven't read it all, but it seems to cover everything.

Courtesy of member lmiller.

 

[rcspott]

Great Bookstore

The Builder's Booksource.

This is a fine bookstore and if your ever in the area check it out

http://www.buildersbooksource.com/cgi-bin/booksite/

rich