What do I need?

[Enidguy]

I'm a little new to this earth moving stuff and need some guidance. I have about 700 ft of gravel driveway that is badly in need of some new gravel. What attachment will do the best job of spreading and smoothing my drive? I would like to have something that will be useful in doing other things around the place such as some landscaping?

Enidguy

 

[ikline]

Even though I do not have a gravel drive. From what I have been reading on TBN for the last year, I believe a box blade would work good for you. It has multiple uses. (Again no experience, just from learning here.)

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Probably a box blade with adjustible scarifiers will do the trick. Box Blades will level smooth and spread pretty effectively and are probably the most common tool used for maintaining a gravel drive. I'm assuming you have a front end loader to place new gravel down the drive, because a box blade won't transport the new gravel. If you don't have a FEL, then I would have the new gravel delivered by slowing spilling it while the truck is moving down the driveway so it the delivery guys distributes it for you. But do preliminary work to repair the drive first before the new gravel is topped over the drive. If the initial repairs are done first and the new gravel is slowly spread by the delivery truck, you can go back over it with the box blade (scarifier teeth removed) and level it off pretty easily.

 

[Enidguy]

I do not have a FEL so that was a concern of mine. I guess you kind of need to get up on top to move the stuff around with the box blade? Another display of my ignorance-what are scarifiers?

Thanks

 

[MicroPilot]

The black "teeth" are scarifiers.

 

[JayC]

Scarifiers are the "teeth" that are on the bottom of the blade. They aid in loosening up dirt and other materials. The scarifiers can be removed so that grading can be done without tearing up the ground. Some of the larger boxblades have hydraulic scarifiers which is really nice.

 

[Enidguy]

OK, I see-they dig up the ground a little so the back blade can smooth. Any suggestions on a blade for my little NH TZ?

Enidguy

 

[JayC]

A 48" boxblade would be sufficient. I think Woods and King Kutter make implements designed for sub-compacts.

Woods Equipment Company

My 1000th post. Cool! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Our drive is roughly 750 to 800 feet of gravel. The box blade makes short work of smoothing out the whoop-de-doos that pop up in the drive because of large trucks coming and going all the time. Once in a while I will also hit it with the landscape rake turned in reverse for minor smoothing chores. But still the box-blade is the best tool for your needs. It will also come in real handy for other needs around your property.

 

[Maurice]

I have a land pride blade that has side plates that I can add and remove at will. I like the set-up because I can have a rear blade when I need it and I can have an 'almost' box blade ( no scarifiers) when I need it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Works great for me.