Mixing in leftover quarter-minus gravel into existing gravel driveway?

[Mustard Tiger]

I jsut finished an irrigation project where I bedded the new water line in quarter-minus gravel (have very rocky soil and wanted to protect the water line). I have a bit of the quarter-minus left over and I also have a gravel driveway. Driveway needs conditioning and plan to do it next spring.

My question is can I just use my box blade and land rake to mix that quarter-minus in with the existing gravel? As mentioned above, the driveway needs to be conditioned. Existing gravel is loose, no fines holding it together, is uneven in some spots and will be getting new gravel with fines in the spring, but wondering if doing a little of grading/smoothing and whatnot now with the quarter-minus I currently have would be appropriate to use.

 

[Shawn T. W]

Yeah, I'd use it up!

 

[RCW]

I agree with @Shawn T. W - use it up!

I think I generally know what Quarter-minus is.

Personally, I would first go over the driveway some with the scarifiers down on my box blade with a shorter top-link, but don’t want the front blade on the box to be digging in.

Lay some QM down and repeat with a long top link and scarifiers up. Want to evenly surface the area.

 

[Mustard Tiger]

I agree with @Shawn T. W - use it up!

I think I generally know what Quarter-minus is.

Personally, I would first go over the driveway some with the scarifiers down on my box blade with a shorter top-link, but don’t want the front blade on the box to be digging in.

Lay some QM down and repeat with a long top link and scarifiers up. Want to evenly surface the area.

It's everything from a quarter-inch down to dust (fines). When I order gravel in the spring it will obviously be larger than 1/4", but would also include fines to help pack everything and hold it in place. right now it's just larger, loose gravel in the driveway and was thinking the stuff I have now could work by mixing it in.

 

[D2Cat]

Unless you're just wanting some seat time on the tractor, just spread the material where ever you need it the most and backdrag with the heal of the bucket to make it as you want.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

Unless you're just wanting some seat time on the tractor, just spread the material where ever you need it the most and backdrag with the heal of the bucket to make it as you want.

Agreed. Since you are going to do a major makeover in the spring, just spread what you have and call it a day. It will all get mixed in when you redo it in the spring.


I think you'll like the result, and certainly will like it better once you get the whole job done. I quit using 3/4" completely. I only use crusher run (a.k.a. 21A), which is 3/4 minus. With the fines to hold it together, it's a far better surface and a lot less maintenance than straight 3/4".

 

[jimh406]

I'd save it for my next project, but you could add it. It's going to add more fines which I don't think is a good thing.