Your gravel driveway started off level, smooth and free of potholes, but over time gravel will get pushed off the drive leading to erosion, bare spots and ruts. The good news is that this is a relatively easy fix with the right tools. For this project you'll need a compact utility tractor, a loader with a bucket and a box blade.
To begin, you'll want to raise the box blade and lower the scarifiers. The idea is to position the box blade above the gravel line but adjust the scarifiers to their deepest working position in order to disrupt the surface of the driveway without actually moving any of the material (set them at a depth of your deepest pothole - no deeper). Starting at one end of the drive, work your way back towards the other end. Once you have reached the end of the driveway, begin making your way back. The two passes may overlap in the middle. You'll also want to weave the tractor back and forth instead of simply driving in a straight line. This ensures that the scarifiers don't fall into a track that has already been made on a previous pass and will help you break up the entire surface. After making 3 or 4 passes, the surface should be well churned and ready for the next step.
Begin moving gravel from your gravel pile onto the driveway surface. With a full bucket load, begin spreading the gravel onto the surface. Instinctively, most people will start at the beginning of the driveway and work their way backwards. Instead, distribute the gravel as you're moving forward. You'll never have to look backwards to see where you're going so you will drive a straighter line and be able to spread the gravel more evenly.
After checking for any spots that might need a little more gravel added, it's time to smooth and level the driveway surface. Lower the box blade and raise the scarifiers to their highest position. Start at one end and begin smoothing and leveling the driveway surface - working in long, steady passes from one end to the other. Keep the box blade at a consistent height which will allow gravel to accumulate inside the box blade and fill in any gaps that might remain. You'll need to make 3 or 4 passes from one end to the other. On the last pass, weave back and forth on the driveway to ensure a smooth and flat finish to the drive and to help prevent erosion.
And that is how you repair a gravel drive! You can view the video below for a full breakdown of these steps.
Along with a loader and rear blade - a box blade with scarifiers is one of the most versatile and fundamental implements to have in your machine shed. Contact your local Martin Deerline to browse more Frontier implements and learn how to turn your tractor into the workhorse it was built to be.