Min tractor size for repairing long gravel driveway with potholes?

[ruffdog]

I used a TC33D on my 250 feet of drive and I would not say it is too much for the OP's property....if they can $wing it. I have to wonder if those mowed trails are on the property and how many total acres? Does the drive have enough base and top layers to ensure the water can run off to the side? Will this same tractor be used for all the mowing?

 

[Blue Mule]

8 foot blade? Jesus guys, he said he's doing a 600 foot personal driveway, not a state highway.

The guy who recommended a "land plane" or "grading scraper" depending on who you're talking to did you a favor. I used a box blade for years and it was a PITA. I bought a 72" land plane earlier this year and it's night and day. MUCH much better for smoothing out a gravel driveway. Mine has ripper teeth on it too. But generally I don't use them. I find that if I hit the gravel road about 12 hours after a rain, I can just take a couple of passes over it and it looks like a new road.

I originally bought a 25 HP tractor. It couldn't do the work. I upgraded to the same tractor, but 40 HP engine and now I can do the work in medium range at roughly 5 MPH or so and it's much nicer.

600 feet isn't much length though, so even a 60" land plane would work great.

 

[bcp]

Bruce

 

[HEC]

I take care of 600 ft. gravel driveway with a Kubota B2650 ( 25hp ) with no problems both summer and winter . I take care of road maintenance during the spring before gravel hardens up with just a back blade and it works just fine . A snow blower takes care of snow in the winter ( lots of snow ) here in northern Maine . You may want to look up ( gp outdoors ) he has many good videos of taking care of a very long driveway .

 

[LittleBill21]

8 foot blade? Jesus guys, he said he's doing a 600 foot personal driveway, not a state highway.

The guy who recommended a "land plane" or "grading scraper" depending on who you're talking to did you a favor. I used a box blade for years and it was a PITA. I bought a 72" land plane earlier this year and it's night and day. MUCH much better for smoothing out a gravel driveway. Mine has ripper teeth on it too. But generally I don't use them. I find that if I hit the gravel road about 12 hours after a rain, I can just take a couple of passes over it and it looks like a new road.

I originally bought a 25 HP tractor. It couldn't do the work. I upgraded to the same tractor, but 40 HP engine and now I can do the work in medium range at roughly 5 MPH or so and it's much nicer.

600 feet isn't much length though, so even a 60" land plane would work great.

Going to have to agree with Blue here, i have a 26hp, and a 5 foot woods land plane, loaded tires. I need more horespower/gearing, i can easily stop it without the rippers and i have loaded tires. I need midrange and prolly 35 horse.

 

[tradosaurus]

If you do use a box blade I would suggest rear remotes (2 sets) to adjust the angle of the box blade without getting off of your tractor. I may eventually get a land plane (used if I can find one).

 

[DieselBound]

Also consider packing those holes. I'd used my B7800 and box blade for a neighbor's driveway once. The material didn't stay put very well and the drive re-pot-holed. I suspect that they didn't go easy on the drive, didn't allow things to set up well enough; but, with a heavier machine one is likely going to get a firmer pack which would tend to hold up better to such initial abuse. Kind(s) of materials make a big difference on whether something will really pack and stay put.

 

[LouNY]

Dang and at times I wish my blade was a bit wider then the 10" that it is;

 

[DieselBound]

One always finds the limits! I discovered that my 7' flail (even though it's got hydraulic side shift) cannot be used in some passages that my 6' RC could go. And I'm also finding jobs that I wish that I still had my 5' box blade for my B7800. One just cannot have too many implements!

 

[JWR]

View attachment 707613

View attachment 707615



Bruce

I love it I love it ! That is downright cute.