LD1
Epic Contributor
NOthing bad....just overkill......especially with the thickness of base #2's you were planning. But $250 is cheap and if it makes you sleep better at night.....go for it.
Too thick of gravel drive?
- Thread starter Nic3456
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Cord
Veteran Member
If you have a concern about the base, then have the contractor proof roll it. Basically, a fully loaded quad axle truck (with the tags up) should not compress the ground. If the base is good then the tires won't compress the ground at all. If it does compress, then the base is bad. The solution is to either cut deeper or go with a geofabric. Here's a good example of a fail: Driving Park Proof Roll - YouTube If won't be paving the road, then the amount compression can be more foregiving. For example, the amount of compression in the video would be OK for a residential gravel drive. But I've seen roads get under cut with less than 1/2" of compression.
UPDATE
Disaster - I'm going to have to fire my driveway guy - he keeps delaying the install over and over and over. I have to have it finished by next Tuesday or my home builder will delay the foundation dig. He's unwilling to take much responsibility and just keeps offering to refund my money. Doubtful I can get someone new in that quick.
Any realistic chance I could learn to use a dozer, etc to cut it out within a week?
LD1, wanna earn some extra $$
Disaster - I'm going to have to fire my driveway guy - he keeps delaying the install over and over and over. I have to have it finished by next Tuesday or my home builder will delay the foundation dig. He's unwilling to take much responsibility and just keeps offering to refund my money. Doubtful I can get someone new in that quick.
Any realistic chance I could learn to use a dozer, etc to cut it out within a week?
LD1, wanna earn some extra $$
Cord
Veteran Member
Absolutely you can do this. The biggest problem is that it takes time. That said, I'd recommend rethinking a dozer as in the hands of a novice they can make a mess pretty quickly. There is a skill that has to be learned so you can grade smooth without the surface turning into a washboard. A large frame tracked skid steer will be more user friendly and capable of moving enough material for you to get the job done. Something in the 3,000 lb lift range. You'll need to find a large commercial rental outfit and see what their equipment rents for. Don't forget to look into delivery costs as well. At this time you only need to get the base in. Don't worry about the gravel wear course, that'll come after the house is completed. For the stone, contact your local quarry see if they use an outfit for trucking. Also ask about opening an account so you don't need to write a check for every truck.
Who does your builder use for driveways? Is this something you can add to his scope of work? Yea, you'll have to pay him for his overhead, but he deserves to makes some money by getting the job done.
Who does your builder use for driveways? Is this something you can add to his scope of work? Yea, you'll have to pay him for his overhead, but he deserves to makes some money by getting the job done.
LD1
Epic Contributor
There shouldnt be any reason for the foundation guy to delay just because it lacks a drive. He should still be able to do what needs done.
As to the dirveway......cutting out a foot of topsoil.....especially in delaware county. It absolutely needs the utilities located. And this needs done by the person preforming the work, and you have to give 48 hours. So if you have any thoughts of doing this at all, you need to call OUPS NOW. And then you cannot start working on it til WED at 5 PM.
In reply to the some of the previous posters suggestions......you are gonna want way more than a 3000# skid loader if you want to get anywhere. I'd still opt for the dozer. Who cares if the finish aint good, its getting covered with gravel. And dont use the local quarries to haul. Independents are much cheaper. And agree, check with the builder....see if he can add the driveway to his current scope of work.
How long was this driveway gonna be again? Could you PM me your address and if it aint too far out of my way, I'll do a drive by on my way to work this afternoon or on my way home in the AM Then I might be able to offer some more suggestions or recommend someone to do it.
As to the dirveway......cutting out a foot of topsoil.....especially in delaware county. It absolutely needs the utilities located. And this needs done by the person preforming the work, and you have to give 48 hours. So if you have any thoughts of doing this at all, you need to call OUPS NOW. And then you cannot start working on it til WED at 5 PM.
In reply to the some of the previous posters suggestions......you are gonna want way more than a 3000# skid loader if you want to get anywhere. I'd still opt for the dozer. Who cares if the finish aint good, its getting covered with gravel. And dont use the local quarries to haul. Independents are much cheaper. And agree, check with the builder....see if he can add the driveway to his current scope of work.
How long was this driveway gonna be again? Could you PM me your address and if it aint too far out of my way, I'll do a drive by on my way to work this afternoon or on my way home in the AM Then I might be able to offer some more suggestions or recommend someone to do it.
