Getting Crushed Rock Back on Driveway

[bookman51]

I have a couple hundred yards of driveway with crushed rock on it. Try as I might, rock is always getting off it and onto the grass. I have a land plane and several blades, but they do not get the rock that is in the grass. In blading snow in the winter, it seems whatever I do the snow picks up some rock. I have tried raising my blades and even putting pipe on the bottom of my blades. Any suggestions on how to keep or get the rock back on the driveway? Hand raking it each spring and during the summer is a real pain for this much driveway. Thanks in advance.

 

[MattN03]

Do you have a landscape rake for your tractor? I'm not sure it would work, depending on the gravel size, but it might be worth trying if you have access to one.

 

[12husky]

Look at a Stihl power broom


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[XJSuperman]

Use skids or shoes on the bottom of your blade. Try to avoid digging in or plowing before the ground freezes so the rock isn't loose when you do plow.

A simple leaf/yard rake works, or a sweeper attachment on a tractor/mower will do the job as well.

 

[Flail]

Simple. Pour curbs on both sides of driveway.

 

[bookman51]

No landscape rake, but probably could rent one. Thanks

 

[bookman51]

Use skids or shoes on the bottom of your blade. Try to avoid digging in or plowing before the ground freezes so the rock isn't loose when you do plow.

A simple leaf/yard rake works, or a sweeper attachment on a tractor/mower will do the job as well.

I checked one of two rental places in town about renting one, but not available. I will try the other one later. Thanks

 

[The_Geologist]

Look at a Stihl power broom

Agreed! Here's a video showing how well these things work (though they are pricey). The first 5 minutes or so has the most relevant info relating to the OP's issue.

 

[bookman51]

Simple. Pour curbs on both sides of driveway.

Simple but not cheap. Just like paving the entire driveway...problem solved; but problem created in my wallet!! Thanks anyway.

 

[bookman51]

Look at a Stihl power broom


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That is a thought. I want to do some more investigation. I am hoping to find some type of power broom I can rent before I purchase anything. Thanks

 

[Kaizen]

Look at a Stihl power broom


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This


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[teamextreme]

How does that thing not completely tear up the grass? I have the same issue, but I'm very careful about not digging the blade into the gravel so I don't end up with that much in the grass, nothing like in the video, but it's inevitable and enough to be annoying and forces me to rake or hand pick out the gravel from the grass.

 

[Kaizen]

How does that thing not completely tear up the grass? I have the same issue, but I'm very careful about not digging the blade into the gravel so I don't end up with that much in the grass, nothing like in the video, but it's inevitable and enough to be annoying and forces me to rake or hand pick out the gravel from the grass.

The power broom is the go to for landscapers up here. gets all the sand out of the lawn in spring. wouldn't use in winter. In spring the grass hasn't started growing so it pretty much doesn't dig. suppose depending on soil conditions you would have to use different pressure.

 

[stm317]

Would having the gravel compacted with a vibratory roller help at all? It seems like it might keep the rock in place a bit better.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I think this is one of those problems that will always be around when you have a stone driveway and get snow.

 

[jimindm]

I m I private snow contractor. The power broom is expensive, but it works.

I have a few drives that are gravel and I have tried many methods over the years. It sounds good to just let it freeze down before plowing, to plow with a board on the bottom of the blade, plow with the feet at the highest they go. I have tried them all.

I bought one off of craigslist a few years ago, and they work. Now if you have a large pile you may not get that all the way back onto the drive. Before buying it I did not even offer coming back to take care of what ended up in yards. Now I have just raised my price a little and include it in the spring.

I have used it many times, and it really does not do much to the grass. The only problems that I have encountered it were I will pile snow. There is just to much to get it back. I will usually just pile it as far as I can, then shovel a few times then start over.

If you have done it as much as you say, and are careful about not getting rock in the yard. It would be a breeze to do that much driveway.

Mine is an echo and not stihl, and I know others are making them. Look into the combi systems also. I am not sure the broom sort of attachment show on the tractor works that well. Mine also has that, and it did not work as good as the rubber flappers.

I would bet a rental would have something. Or a landscaper might that could come out and show you how well it works for a price. Especially if one does snow removal also.

 

[tachyon]

Stihl power broom to clean up.

Harley rake on a bobcat (rent it) to till the tip inch or two of gravel.

Vibratory compacting roller on bobcat (rent it) after the Harley rake.

I have a 1/4 mile gravel driveway as well..., so I sympathize with you.



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[Captain Spaulding]

Don’t blade all the way to the gravel when clearing snow. Leave an inch or two. Get feet for the blade or add caster wheels to hold the blade up.

 

[bookman51]

Don’t blade all the way to the gravel when clearing snow. Leave an inch or two. Get feet for the blade or add caster wheels to hold the blade up.

Wet snow in particular will pull up the rock as the snow is bladed off the drive.

 

[bookman51]

Stihl power broom to clean up.

Harley rake on a bobcat (rent it) to till the tip inch or two of gravel.

Vibratory compacting roller on bobcat (rent it) after the Harley rake.

I have a 1/4 mile gravel driveway as well..., so I sympathize with you.



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Thanks for the ideas.

 

[bookman51]

I m I private snow contractor. The power broom is expensive, but it works.

I have a few drives that are gravel and I have tried many methods over the years. It sounds good to just let it freeze down before plowing, to plow with a board on the bottom of the blade, plow with the feet at the highest they go. I have tried them all.

I bought one off of craigslist a few years ago, and they work. Now if you have a large pile you may not get that all the way back onto the drive. Before buying it I did not even offer coming back to take care of what ended up in yards. Now I have just raised my price a little and include it in the spring.

I have used it many times, and it really does not do much to the grass. The only problems that I have encountered it were I will pile snow. There is just to much to get it back. I will usually just pile it as far as I can, then shovel a few times then start over.

If you have done it as much as you say, and are careful about not getting rock in the yard. It would be a breeze to do that much driveway.

Mine is an echo and not stihl, and I know others are making them. Look into the combi systems also. I am not sure the broom sort of attachment show on the tractor works that well. Mine also has that, and it did not work as good as the rubber flappers.

I would bet a rental would have something. Or a landscaper might that could come out and show you how well it works for a price. Especially if one does snow removal also.

Thanks for the good ideas.

 

[bookman51]

Agreed! Here's a video showing how well these things work (though they are pricey). The first 5 minutes or so has the most relevant info relating to the OP's issue.

Looked it. Looks like it does a good job. I am just afraid that a handheld one like that one just might kick this old guy's rear end. I am going to look for a walk behind to rent. Thanks

 

[forAK]

I have the same problem. I started back dragging my blade after the first snow fall and found that I have a lot less rocks to contend with in the spring. It's a real pain on a long drive way but it has worked will for me. It kind of smooths/packs the snow into the driveway and then freezes well. Then I can hit it normally with the blade for the rest of the winter. The first snow always takes me a lot longer, but seems to work quite well. YMMV

 

[6768rogues]

I have wide spots along the driveway where I pile snow, and I use a bucket to clean the driveway. Then little gravel gets on the lawn, I just have to back blade it in the spring. A couple of spots get gravel on the grass, so I use a big shop vac to vacuum it up and then I dump it back in the driveway. It is easier than raking.

 

[jeffp1979]

Power broom by echo looks like a weed eater with twin rubber paddle tires on the front. Check out the videos on youtube

 

[TractorJeff]

I usually roll the first snow to freeze it down into the rocks/stones.
Once its well compacted then the gravel pickup is minmal and I am very carefull to not push too far onto the grass.
Raking *****!
Neighbor had a power broom a couple of years ago.
maybe I'll go ask about it in the spring?

 

[jhelrey]

I've just used my PB770 back pack blower. A little slower but it works.

 

[Radix2]

If you guys didnt have nice crowned drives, you wouldn't have a problem.

The typical rutty sunken track never loses any gravel.

First world problem - celebrate !

Jk, but I got no answers but a rake and too much time.

I have a big snow blower on the kubota, as long as you pack the first snow, no problem with blowing gravel.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

........A simple leaf/yard rake works, or a sweeper attachment on a tractor/mower will do the job as well.

.

This works well - long bristles on the brush reach down into the grass and pick up the rocks without destroying the grass. If you sit still in one place it will tear up the grass, but if you're always moving, it's just like a deep thatching. Gets the vast majority of the rocks out of the grass, only downside is that it puts a lot of dead grass on the driveway - and it's not cheap, but having one on a riding mower angled like the above picture is as easy as it gets. Make a couple laps and you're done.

 

[Bretny]

I also have a crushed stone driveway. Its flat and i dont fluff up or regrade it past late summer. I want the rock to be well packed before the first snow. I also dont plow the first snow or at least dont let the plow touch the ground. I have done it this way for a few years and get next to no gravel on the lawn.

Let the snow pack down and freeze then you can let the plow touch the ground. Theres really no other way to do it unless you like removing gravel from the lawn in the spring.

 

[bookman51]

I also have a crushed stone driveway. Its flat and i dont fluff up or regrade it past late summer. I want the rock to be well packed before the first snow. I also dont plow the first snow or at least dont let the plow touch the ground. I have done it this way for a few years and get next to no gravel on the lawn.

Let the snow pack down and freeze then you can let the plow touch the ground. Theres really no other way to do it unless you like removing gravel from the lawn in the spring.

Thanks

 

[crazylunker]

I use the Stihl broom, paddles not bristle. It's amazing for sand to 1" gravel.

 

[Pruittx2]

my local John Deere dealer has stihl power brooms for rent,, like $75 for 4hrs. It's a work out!! but the best option, unless you can find a power broom for a rider.

 

[Homerr]

This guy on Youtube gives tips based on his experience.

Warning: His channel can be a deep dive and you may lose a couple weeks watching his stuff.

 

[like2wheel]

This guy on Youtube gives tips based on his experience.

Warning: His channel can be a deep dive and you may lose a couple weeks watching his stuff.

Not sure how we're supposed to find it in a video that's 42 mins long, but I did skip thru, & it seemed like everything he stated was pretty obvious anyway.

 

[Fatboy148]

I find that the Stihl power broom does offer quite the workout for first thing in the spring when your not used to it. After a couple days, it gets easier!

Any way you figure, the power broom is much faster and easier that a leaf rake to get the gravel off the grass and back in the drive. One thing I do is... if we have a thaw, I will get the tractor out and run the shoulder of the drive and pick up some of the stones while the snow is still holding them up off the grass by an inch or two. I just fill the bucket with snow and stones and dump it in an out of the way pile where the stones can be easily picked up and spread out again later.

 

[Joe69]

I quit using my snow blade, and started using the bucket instead. I roll the bucket back slightly, so it leaves a little snow behind. It has really minimized how much stone I get in the yard.