Ruts

yanmars · Apr 2, 2023

I have some deep tractor ruts from when the ground was quite wet. Been there about 15 months. On the more level ground I considered using a box blade with the rippers slightly lowered in an attempt to spread/fill in the same where there is rut compaction.
On the steep inclines rather than risk downhill water erosion I thought filling the ruts with heavy gravel might be better. That is in the path area. Some of the ruts are 6 inches deep or deeper but tractor tire wide. 57s will just wash out I know, unsure what size rock would be best to put in there. Thoughts on any of this? Thanks

KDubU · Apr 3, 2023

Myself I would not add rock as it will just sink in most likely.if you want to go rock then fabric needs should be put down first. Instead of rock, I would consider logs perpendicular to the path, something that likes water and will lot rot for a long time.

Rockbadchild · Apr 3, 2023

what type of soil ? you can try with the box blade but you will probably run out of material to fill the ruts, a tiller works good for that ... for the downhill I would smooth it out first then fabric then 2 inch minus is always my go too... but you can do river pebble stone.

yanmars · Apr 3, 2023

Some clay. The ruts on the hill are about 500 feet long.

Rockbadchild · Apr 3, 2023

yanmars said:
Some clay. The ruts on the hill are about 500 feet long.

that's going to be lots of material ... maybe better to smooth out, make a road crown and swells (ditch ) on ether side of the road and restore vegetation.

oosik · Apr 3, 2023

I do all the surface work on my mile long, gravel driveway with my land plane grading scraper. I've tried with my uber heavy rear blade - no joy. If the ruts, washes, riffles, etc get real deep - drop the scarifiers and the situation is rapidly fixed.

The rear blade is used for snow clearing and ditch maintenance.

JJT · Apr 3, 2023

I use a tiller, making a couple of passes to loosen things up. Then the box scraper to cut and fill. If there are rocks to sort out, I'll make a couple of passes with the rake. For smaller ruts, I'll fill them with compost.

EddieWalker · Apr 3, 2023

Do you have a loader? I would start bringing in dirt and building it up. Ruts are from being a low area that holds moisture. Add enough material so water flows away from there and you have a crown to your road.

I dump the dirt, then back drag it with my bucket, then drive over it with my tires with another load of dirt in the bucket for maximum weight on the tires.