Protecting the asphalt

[RayCo]

I just got my driveway paved this week, but I still have lots of work to do inside a circle of my driveway that will involve the backhoe. I learned that I can get replacement pads for my backhoe that are the flip-over style with soft pads on one side. So, that's good for the stabilizers. But, the loader will be spending a good deal of time on my nice new driveway.

I'm wondering what others have done to prevent loaders from digging into driveways while using a backhoe. (BX24 tractor, here)

Thanks

 

[beenthere]

I would postpone any loader work off my new asphalt for at least 6 months, or even next fall.
But it is your risk of getting bird baths where-ever the tire weight or stabilizers set for even a short period of time. Patching the bird bath depressions is nearly impossible.

 

[BruceWard]

I can not see any way to use a backhoe with the bucket or stabilizer on asphalt without destroying the asphalt. If you put something like plywood under the bucket you would likely prevent or at least reduce the damage to the asphalt but your tractor will slide around while you are digging.

 

[pdowling1]

It sounds like you might need to get familiar with a shovel at this point!!
I can't imagine how you can use the BH without damage to the asphalt now.

 

[dodge man]

I have seen plywood used and it works pretty good. You just have to really careful.

 

[DavidNPro]

I would defintely give the blacktop a few weeks to fully "cure". After that though, I think you would be alright. I assume you are using your BX24? Its not too heavy to begin with and if you use boards and just watch what you are doing. Make sure that you do not accidentally fall off the boards or drag something across it I dont think there will be a problem.

Alot of this depends on the level of compaction that they used when rolling the blacktop.....

 

[jbutch83]

I would also wait to let if cure for a while and make sure that it is done in cooler temps. I had my driveway done last spring, and still left marks in it this year using a floor jack for a couple of minutes on my truck. It was rather warm out as well. Don't think that there is much you can do with it right now.

 

[BigD23]

I agree with waiting to let things cure...IF and when you go to use your BH and you're working off the pavement (gasp) lay down as much protection (i.e. plywood) as possible for your working platform area..........Good luck!

Don

 

[CurlyDave]

I used 3/4" plywood under the FEL of my JD 110 TLB on a driveway that was about 1 year old summer before last. Under the stabilizers I used about 3' lengths of 2 x 12 in addition to the 3/4" ply.

No damage to the driveway. A FEL full of material kept the sliding under control.

 

[Thomas]

I seen operators use inflated tires..maybe better grip/spreading pressure point out.

 

[Jay4200]

I'm wondering what others have done to prevent loaders from digging into driveways while using a backhoe. (BX24 tractor, here)

Uh, keep the loader up in the air? Rocket-science 101.

Stabilizers are going to slide around, so the plywood idea is a good one, and will assure no damage. Keep your loader in the air - I hardly ever use mine unless I am really tearing into something nasty, simply because it trashes the ground so bad. Just go easy and don't be a meatball with your backhoe.

JayC

 

[Tompet]

The flip over street pads you refer to work really well on concrete, asphalt or any hard surface. I agree completely with CurleyDave's advice for added protection.
tp

 

[RayCo]

Thanks to all for the advice, except for Jay4200. I think I'll make every effort to just stay off the driveway after reading this. I can get to most places without being on it; it'll just be a bit awkward and/or inefficient. But, that certainly beats wrecking the driveway, so no problem.

 

[SARG]

I have to remind myself all through the summer that our $15k driveway is just "glued" together gravel....... helps me stay off it with the heavy stuff.

 

[RayCo]

I have to remind myself all through the summer that our $15k driveway is just "glued" together gravel....... helps me stay off it with the heavy stuff.

Out of curiosity, how long is your driveway? We did not get our entire driveway paved, as we just couldn't afford it, since it was a whimsical decision to get it paved when we were offered $1.65/square foot. We got about 6,000 square feet done and have about 2500 left to do that goes out to the road, and is shared with a neighbor.

 

[Jay4200]

Thanks to all for the advice, except for Jay4200.

I think my advice to you was the best offered here. I didn't realize 'just don't drive on it' was a viable option, or I would've suggested that.

If you took offense to 'meatball', sorry - it's an industry term. Refers to someone using "hamfisted" operation techniques, which might beat up your lil' tractor when it is not additionally stabilized by the FEL.

JayC

 

[RayCo]

I think my advice to you was the best offered here. I didn't realize 'just don't drive on it' was a viable option, or I would've suggested that.

If you took offense to 'meatball', sorry - it's an industry term. Refers to someone using "hamfisted" operation techniques, which might beat up your lil' tractor when it is not additionally stabilized by the FEL.

JayC

Nah, it was the rocket science comment actually. But certainly no big deal, and my jab was in light-hearted jest.

 

[SARG]

Out of curiosity, how long is your driveway? We did not get our entire driveway paved, as we just couldn't afford it, since it was a whimsical decision to get it paved when we were offered $1.65/square foot. We got about 6,000 square feet done and have about 2500 left to do that goes out to the road, and is shared with a neighbor.

I do not recall the square footage but believe most of the cost was in machine time and geo textile material ...the 18" of crusher run ...and then the bindercoat and topcoat.

They had to remove our first blacktop driveway that was put in 25 years ago by local gypsies that in places was actually on sand.

80% of a "good" asphalt driveway ... that will last ... is in the prep work.