The Trifecta of Attachments

[lbaxterh]

I am about to move to a location where I will have a 2000' driveway that is 10'-16' wide and goes up almost 200' with a few moderate turns. The driveway was built to avoid erosion so it is made with 6" crusher stone throughout it. I think (hope?) I need to add some implements to my shed. For you experts I'm wondering:
1. For grading a driveway with 6" stone throughout (and pretty steep bankings off the side) can I use my York rake or need something else? What do you suggest???
2. I am going to need to sand this driveway. I'd love to do it with leaving my snowblower on the 3pt hitch an put a sander on the front end loader. I have a 66hp JD and am wondering if anyone has a sander they suggest that I could put on the front and power with the third set of hydraulics up there?
3. Because the bankings are steep on the sides of the driveway I am thinking I'll need a side mower. Any suggestions on what to consider or not?
Thanks for sharing any of the wisdom you folks have on here!

 

[ovrszd]

That's going to be a challenge to maintain!!!!

Not sure I understand your description of the rock used. Are you saying it's "paved" with 6" diameter stone? I must be missing something there.

Can you take some pics of your driveway and post them here?? That would help tremendously!!!

 

[CADplans]

An offset flail mower,,,

AND,,, the widest landplane you can afford,,, I built mine, it is 7' wide.

No matter what you use to "shape" the driveway with,,, you need to roll in after,
or, the first time you drive on the loose stone, you will get ruts.
My DIY roller, a piece of ductile iron pipe full of concrete.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have a customer with a driveway like that. Last year, the NEW snow contractor (a Farmer) slid off the road and mangled the cab of his tractor. I'm surprised he didn't take one look at it and say, forget it!

 

[powerscol]

For the steep banks, consider a hydraulic offset flail mower such as I have. Its a Maschio Giraffetta 160 SE. Search under ditch bank flail or verge mowers as they are called elsewhere.There is a long thread on flail mowers you should read. There are numerous brands that will work for you.

 

[lbaxterh]

That's going to be a challenge to maintain!!!!

Not sure I understand your description of the rock used. Are you saying it's "paved" with 6" diameter stone? I must be missing something there.

Can you take some pics of your driveway and post them here?? That would help tremendously!!!

Good questions! I should have explained better but didn't want to be too wordy in my already long set of questions. The driveway is not paved. It was built up with many loads of, I believe, what is called 6" crusher stone. It is a mix of crushed stone from 6" down to sand size. It has been well packed so there are no rocks sticking up and it is all flat, but right at the surface is a mix of sand, 1" stones, and up to 6" stones. I'll try to get pictures this weekend as I don't live there quite yet and have to go up this weekend to snowblow it.

 

[ovrszd]

Good questions! I should have explained better but didn't want to be too wordy in my already long set of questions. The driveway is not paved. It was built up with many loads of, I believe, what is called 6" crusher stone. It is a mix of crushed stone from 6" down to sand size. It has been well packed so there are no rocks sticking up and it is all flat, but right at the surface is a mix of sand, 1" stones, and up to 6" stones. I'll try to get pictures this weekend as I don't live there quite yet and have to go up this weekend to snowblow it.

Yep, that's how I understood your original post.

That's going to be difficult to maintain. You can't get very aggressive or you'll pull the large stones up out of the roadbed which will defeat your purpose.

Even a light duty application such as a 3pt rear blade will still hook those stones and try to pull them out.

Also understand that every time you disturb the top layer the small material is going to fall between the cracks and push the large stones to the surface.

Anxious to see pics. This will be a challenge for the "driveway maintenance crew" here on TBN.

 

[NC419N]

The maintenance of the side banks will be minor compared to plowing the road. I would be couscous as to the incline and switchbacks. Hopefully it is South facing.
A hydraulic arm mower will be a good investment and if you get the frail mower attachment and the bush hog to interchange you will be surprised with what you can get done with it. Ours is a Versa and it stays on the tractor 90% of the year.

 

[fishhead]

I think that the drive could end up being quite a challenge. is the grade consistent? Even if it is, 10% is a pretty steep average slope once its icy. How well is it side-sloped or crowned , any grade reversals? In general i think that roads should drain well by themselves, not make up for poor drainage by their surface construction. In order to maintain the surface you are probably going to have to get a good layer of some finer material you can work on the top. I looked at your climate , seems like ice could be a big issue there. I would definitely have chains on all 4 wheels of the tractor. With the surface you describe i think you are going to have to leave some packed snow/ice in order not to get into the larger base material

We have longer drive with similar rise done in 3 steep areas max inclines in the 10-13 percent bracket. Before we paved we would end up periodically with conditions so slippery that studded snows would just slide. Now that its paved is much better- pretty expensive but awfully nice.

 

[JRobyn]

I think if my road base contained that large of pieces, I'd consider adding another inch or so of crusher-run only. Then maintain with a grading scraper, with the intent to only work the top inch and never disturb the base. That is similar to my road and what I do. My base is "river rock" that has up to 2" or 3" chunks, smaller stuff all the way down to sand. I've got a light skim of crusher-run over that. A LandPride GS1572 does a beautiful and easy job.