Spreading stone on Driveway

[RichNJKubota]

I have about 15 tons of 3/4" gravel left over from house construction and would like to spread it on the 500 foot driveway. So far I've been dropping small piles from the FEL and then raking it around by hand. This is time consuming. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Slippy]

The suggestion will depend upon what equipment you have. If you don't have a rear blade or box blade, then why don't you simply use your loader? Take a load with your fel and dump it in the area to be spread. Put your fel on the ground in front of the pile and drag the fel bucket backwards across the new gravel. You can use the lip of the bucket or draw your bucket all the way retracted and use the underneath back side. You will find it does a pretty good job. You will then only have to do very little hand raking.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Rich,

Slippy makes a good point. If you take a minute to fill out your profile anyone can go there and see what you have to work with.

How far is this stone from your drive? Would it be worth loading it into a truck or trailer to transport it? Is that even an option? Certainly a back blade or box blade would be the ideal tool to use. If all you have is your loader bucket you might want to just keep doing what you're doing.

 

[MikePA]

I agree with Slippy, 'cept I do not do any hand raking. I smooth the stones out by back dragging with the bottom edge of the FEL. Works great and I don't have to leave the tractor seat. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Plus, since these stones are not going to be compacted, the first vehicle that drives over them will leave a track, so you'll be out there smoothing that out. BTDT /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[RichNJKubota]

Thanks for the reminder...Filled out my profile. Besides the FEL I have a LandPride 7ft finish mower. It's definitely not good for spreading stone
Several times over the years I have needed a rear landscape rake. In fact once I borrowed one from a neighbor. It's one of those items that I would use about every two years but each time I think I would need it again.
Or perhaps I should get a rear blade. It would come in handy for snow removal.
I'll try using the FEL to smooth out the stone.

Rich

 

[fivestring]

A rear blade is a very useful and multi-purpose tool. Spreading gravel is one of the things it's good at!

 

[TimSullivan]

I have an eight hundred foot drive and have used a box blade, rear blade and a landscape rake to spread stone on it. I only use the FEL bucket to spread and smooth now. It just is faster and I feel I have more control.

Once you learn the tricks it is fast, easy and does a good job. Just take your time and play around with the FEL and leave the rake in the barn.

 

[Boondox]

Rich -- Though I have a rear blade and a York rake, I find it faster and easier to simply dump gravel in my driveway while in motion. Takes some practice, but in mid-range moving at a brisk pace I can lay gravel in an even layer with no overlap or missed spots.

Pete

 

[RichNJKubota]

Took your advice. Dropped the stone from the bucket as I was moving then ran the bucket in float over the stone backwards to smooth it out. Very good results.
Now just have to do about 30 more buckets of stone.
Thanks.

 

[Boondox]

By the 29th bucketful you'll be an expert! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Pete