Muddy road advice

[Bugsinrugs]

My tractor is starting to have a tough time getting up the hill from where I keep it in the shed. I need advice on how to fill the muddy ruts I’m creating from putting chains on the front tires. I was guessing larger rock as a base with smaller gravel over the top .

[Arizona_928]

Rock, or metal sheet corrugated/expanded.

[stevej37]

Here..we have slag. It doesn't disappear like gravel will.
Jagged edged granite chips.

[Seahawk]

I use a lot of 3/4 inch rock here. My driveway was an absolute mess when we got here...bank and run for the loss: ruts, washboard, craters, the works.

Many years later, it is very low maintenance.

I do not know if it is available in your area, but putting it down while the road is still damp is key. Do you have a front end loader?

[masraum]

[Bugsinrugs]

This is my small tractor. It’s been worth it’s weight in gold after these storms. The power has been out for four days and probably another four. I have to go hunt down some diesel since all the fueling stations are out of power too.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

This is my small tractor.

Looks just like my small John Deere.

Local gravel/landscape supplier recommends their mix of aggregate+clay for filling/leveling unpaved driveways.
the clay portion is supposed to bind everything together after thoroughly wetted.

Worked great!..... for a short while.

The road to my house is pretty steep, and tires churning every time up insures that the road will need continuous maintenance.
Really helps to drag the road with a harrow. Several passes while the ground is gooshy after rain or during spring thaw is most effective.

A couple hours on the tractor once or twice a year is well worth it.

The aggregate/clay mix is probably excellent for filling low spots on level ground.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

This is my small tractor. It’s been worth it’s weight in gold after these storms. The power has been out for four days and probably another four. I have to go hunt down some diesel since all the fueling stations are out of power too.

I'd ship you a generator if I though it would get there in time!

Great machine. I have two older MF's, one with a front end loader that I maintained my driveway (1/2 mile) with for years.

Locals will know more than I do in terms of what works in your area, but with you machine, easy day.

My herd. The little ones are 20 years old.



Many moons ago:



I know it sounds crazy, but I love your type of job!

[pwd72s]

Good advice on local knowledge...locals would know best which gravels work best with your soil types.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I use a lot of 3/4 inch rock here.

I would also recommend putting a layer or two of that in the mud.
May have to dig up some dirt first to make room at the edges especially.

If you put down a base layer under, (not recommended), the rock will want to move until fully compacted and integrated.

Good: Doesn't shift or move once locked into place. Great traction for hills. Surface usually drains nicely and no puddles. Knocks dirt off tires.

Bad: Sharp surface for walking barefoot. Can't use a snowblower without creating a projectile storm. Dirt will eventually accumulate and 3ft weeds will start to grow. My rental had an old 3/4" driveway before and it was fine until it turned into a lawn.

[flatbutt]

Before I paved I used 3/4 blue. Works a treat! Will that path be dedicated for a long time?

[Bugsinrugs]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Before I paved I used 3/4 blue. Works a treat! Will that path be dedicated for a long time?

That is my main access to the lower average of my property. I’ll do something soon because all my firewood in my shed is down that road.

[A930Rocket]

You need something with more power!



Or something that distributes the load more.






OK, I got nothing else.

[Rusty Heap]

Don't know what advice you're looking for...........you've got a tractor, get some 1 -1/4 minus or some other large crush, see what you're local gravel pits are selling for by the ton, then set up a trucker for a 12-15 yard load. Buy rock/Spread/Repeat.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by john70t

I would also recommend putting a layer or two of that in the mud.
May have to dig up some dirt first to make room at the edges especially.

If you put down a base layer under, (not recommended), the rock will want to move until fully compacted and integrated.

Good: Doesn't shift or move once locked into place. Great traction for hills. Surface usually drains nicely and no puddles. Knocks dirt off tires.

Bad: Sharp surface for walking barefoot. Can't use a snowblower without creating a projectile storm. Dirt will eventually accumulate and 3ft weeds will start to grow. My rental had an old 3/4" driveway before and it was fine until it turned into a lawn.

I like river rock for the sole purpose that it's not sharp.....

[Bugsinrugs]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

Don't know what advice you're looking for...........you've got a tractor, get some 1 -1/4 minus or some other large crush, see what you're local gravel pits are selling for by the ton, then set up a trucker for a 12-15 yard load. Buy rock/Spread/Repeat.

Just wondering if there is a certain type of rock to put down first then another type over the first. I think I have my answers though. Thanks all!

[dad911]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

...... I have to go hunt down some diesel since all the fueling stations are out of power too.

We had a 24"+ snow about 30 years ago. Had a skid steer at the house, when they saw I cleared my driveway, my neighbors were offering $100+ to do their driveways. Unfortunately I didn't fill with diesel before hand. Could have made a few grand.

My excavator paid off an articulated wheel loader with that storm.

[Gretch]

the loggers up here use brush, works great. and you can remove in the spring.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

Just wondering if there is a certain type of rock to put down first then another type over the first. I think I have my answers though. Thanks all!

We have an issue with the driveway down at the river. It’s narrow, winding and steep. Even the 3/4 will wash out when it comes down heavy. I’d say shove the biggest you can stand in and compact the crap out of it. GL.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

Just wondering if there is a certain type of rock to put down first then another type over the first. I think I have my answers though. Thanks all!

My driveway (100m) was dug down to the subsoil (12") and then a wet spot at the bottom of the drive was filled with 12" of 6" Gabion stone, then a base 12" of gravel and 6" of reclaim ground asphalt topper for a full 18" base.
About every 5 years I add a triaxle and pup worth of the reclaim to replace what my 7' blower scrapes off.

After ice storms even my 60hp 4wd can have problems getting up my drive, a few times I could only blow going downhill, but never bad enough for me to buy chains.