What's your experience with a drag harrow?

[Skyfair]

I have a quarter mile driveway with 1/2" bluestone. It was just redone last year, including finishing with a vibratory roller. Having just gotten through a NH winter, it is in reasonably good shape. However, there are areas where it has begun to rut under car and truck traffic, and there are some rough spots from plowing. I use a Meteor Pull Type snow blower behind my tractor, which I love and find very gentle on the gravel. However, there were several times when we were away and had the driveway cleared with a plow. My question is this - and point me to earlier threads if this has already been discussed - would a simple drag harrow work to smooth out the driveway? I'm sure I could make a harrow from chain link fence. A land plane or a landscape rake might be too aggressive for my needs. What has been your experience?

 

[pokey1416]

If you added some tires or something for weight you may scratch at it. If it’s packed down you’re going to need scarifiers in either a box blade or landscape plane IMO on your first run. A heavy backblade or rake may be ok too.

 

[jeff9366]

A chain harrow will not accomplish your task.

 

[5030]

A Fuerst tine harrow will.

 

[California]

A Fuerst tine harrow will.

How about a spike harrow? Too coarse for a roadway?

 

[WranglerX]

I have a DIY drag harrow made from 6 foot wide chain link... Had about a 10 foot section, folded over in half and put a "T" post inside fold and attached chain to "T" post for towing,,, At rear of harrow I put 4 large rocks on lower half, folded top over and secured with tie wires....Its crude, it was a $0.00 investment and it manicures drive way just fine.... Now if I could just keep nephew slowed down I would not have to drag it as much....

 

[coobie]

Spiked Chain harrow is what I use on my driveway.Works great..

 

[Skyfair]

Does anyone have a source/solution for the "spiked" chain link fencing for DIY? Not sure what to do about DL Meisen's nephew...

 

[coobie]

Does anyone have a source/solution for the "spiked" chain link fencing for DIY? Not sure what to do about DL Meisen's nephew...

 

[npalen]

The harrow should do fine as long as you engage the 3PH draft control.
I will see myself out now.

 

[jyoutz]

It really depends on how many fines have packed around your stones. If the driveway is hard packed, you will need something heavier and with teeth, not a drag harrow. But if the gravel is loose a chain harrow will work well..

 

[oosik]

jyoutz says it plain and simple. The more damage you are trying to correct - the heavier implement you will need OR more passed will be required with a lighter implement. If the implement is TOO light - you will soon see that continued use is next to useless. A toothed drag harrow will probably not correct your situation.

I have a Land Pride - land plane grading scraper with scarifiers. I uses it on the potholes, ruts, wash outs - etc. It works fabulously and requires little to no previous experience. Scarifiers are necessary to scuff up the bottom of potholes, etc so they incorporate with the new material dragged over them.

My driveway is a mile long and started out with a surface layer of pit run, crusher run,,,whatever you want to call it. Over the years - silt, sand & volcanic ash have been added - via our SW winds. I had my driveway constructed in 1982.

When our area dries out - after spring breakup - the driveway hardens like concrete. It takes my heavy LPGS to repair any damage. OR my heavy duty rear blade. Anything less just bounces along behind the tractor.

Another point - only grade up those areas that truly need repairs. Once the driveway is crowned and packed - leave it alone until repairs are needed.