road maintenance attachment?

[jarbill]

I would appreciate some feedback on maintaining a road. I have about 600 ft. of crushed rock road bed that I currently maintain with a box blade; however, it's starting to get a wavy washboard surface from the tractor following dips and bumps in the surface while using the box blade. Would a chain drag harrow maybe eight feet by eight feet consistently smooth out the rocks? It's pretty bumpy now because of the washboard effect, and I would like to smooth it out as much as I can.

Jerry

 

[TripleR]

You might try running your rippers to stir it up a bit then extend your top link out, retract your rippers and let the weight of the box blade rest fully on the road while you drag it.

 

[tommu56]

here you go

Trail'grader-The Portable Road Grader

Its amazing how fast I can spend your money!:laughing:
tom

 

[Thomas]

Just did our driveway this afternoon same issue.

I tip bucket half forward lower cutting edge slowly back drag,once somewhat smooth again slowly back drag w/bucket almost flat in float mode.

 

[zzvyb6]

I agree that the bucket technique makes a nice flat road, but if you want it crowned and sloped on the edges, a large (8') landscape rake set at 45 degrees will comb material towards the center, smooth out the washboard waves and fill in the holes. After doing both sides, running down the center with the blade at 0 degree angle completes the job.

You'll need to put a decent amount of weight on the rake bar to make it dig into the old base enough to reclaim the gravel.

 

[Johndeere3720]

I have the boxblade, rear blade, and landscape rake and i prefer the rearblade set to 45*. Using my blade on the driveway - Tractor Videos - Kubota, John Deere, New Holland and More I have added custom gauge wheels to my blade and put six 40 pound suitcase weights on it for extra weight (also great for FEL ballast). I can grade out our road with ease and go up the center (blade at 0* reversed and fine grade the whole driveway).

 

[Gordon Gould]

There are lots of ways to do what you want and every one seems to have a favorite method based on there equipment. I would use my land plane or as a second choice would use my angled rear blade. But you can make a chain drag work if you desire. And if your road surface is loose it will probably work well. If the surface is packed you will need to scarify it to get some loose material to move around and then drag your chain harrow to fill the low spots. This will leave you with hard peaks and loosely filled valleys. But more smooth than before. Scarify again and drag again. Keep repeating this sequence until the road surface is loosened everywhere to the same depth and smooth then pack it.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Are you looking for a trick to fix the road with your existing implement or do you want advice on what to buy to fix your road? Pictures also help.

 

[Mace Canute]

here you go

Trail'grader-The Portable Road Grader

Its amazing how fast I can spend your money!:laughing:
tom

I went the same route, except I did it the old fashioned way. A couple of years ago I found an old pull type Adams road patrol. Somehow, for me at least, there is more "fun factor" using an ancient piece of road equipment.

 

[tommu56]

I went the same route, except I did it the old fashioned way. A couple of years ago I found an old pull type Adams road patrol. Somehow, for me at least, there is more "fun factor" using an ancient piece of road equipment.

I stumbled across the trail grader when I was looking for a old one tow behind grader. Ive struck out so far in my price range ≈ free
If I don't find one I might mimic theirs.
I did like the simplicity of how to change the angle and pitch of the blade now I am on the prowl for a used boat trailer.

tom

 

[JDGreenGrass]

My "go to" attachment for maintaining the gravel driveway is a rear blade. That's all I need.

In fact, I rarely use the landscape rake....that blade performs better.

I do like the idea of adding weight to a blade as JohnDeere3720 has.

 

[anojones]

I used to grade with my boxblade but same problems feathering the blade to avoid ruts or inadvertant digging in- I'm just not good enough with the thing. It's great for digging but not so good for grading in my hands. I bought a Landpride grader/scraper (landplane) and it works great on my gravel drive. It's more or less a drop it and go implement- set the blade depth and run up and down the drive a few times and that's it. I've used a chain harrow as well after the box blade- smoths out the surface but doesn't help with ruts etc.

 

[firefighter jim]

Landpride grader/scraper. One pass and your gravel drive will look like new. Works great!

 

[TripleR]

I used to grade with my boxblade but same problems feathering the blade to avoid ruts or inadvertent digging in- I'm just not good enough with the thing. It's great for digging but not so good for grading in my hands. I bought a Landpride grader/scraper (landplane) and it works great on my gravel drive. It's more or less a drop it and go implement- set the blade depth and run up and down the drive a few times and that's it. I've used a chain harrow as well after the box blade- smoths out the surface but doesn't help with ruts etc.

A hydraulic top link really lets you get the full benefit from a box blade.

 

[jarbill]

here you go

Trail'grader-The Portable Road Grader

Its amazing how fast I can spend your money!:laughing:
tom

Man, I like that thing! It's perfect. I wonder if it comes with little sleeping quarters on it, because I don't know if my wife will let me come back in the house after I buy it.

Jerry

 

[jarbill]

Landpride grader/scraper. One pass and your gravel drive will look like new. Works great!

I know I could just ask a dealer, but about how much do those things cost?

Jerry

 

[jarbill]

Are you looking for a trick to fix the road with your existing implement or do you want advice on what to buy to fix your road? Pictures also help.

I'm just trying to figure out what will work best without buying $5,000 worth of equipment to do it.

Jerry

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I'm just trying to figure out what will work best without buying $5,000 worth of equipment to do it.

Jerry

Ok, sounds like you are willing to spend some $$$$. :thumbsup: I agree with firefighter jim, the road grader blades work great and are the best implement to take care of those washboard areas.

 

[Car Doc]

The box blade is not very easy to do a level drive for me I have to work to get the waves out and really never get it what I call level.

I really like the scarifiers on the box blade to fluff it and start the leveling side to side but a long wide drag of pretty much any design seems to be my best solution for a level surface and drags are cheaply built.

My best drag is a tail gate from a dump truck I rigged up so it can be lifted with the 3pt but will float because its got short chains attaching it to the tractor.

 

[mikim]

Ok, sounds like you are willing to spend some $$$$. :thumbsup: I agree with firefighter jim, the road grader blades work great and are the best implement to take care of those washboard areas.

agreed -- and you don't have to spend a fortune. I found one locally for $600 and with added weights it works great.