How to Build a Gravel Driveway...and Save Money!

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4 жыл бұрын

Titan Attachments Box Blade: amzn.to/3NqzY7X
Rancher Supply Box Blade: amzn.to/3NqFo2L
^^^Not used in video
Visit our Amazon Affiliate Store: www.amazon.com/shop/indyfarmlife. This storefront provides links to many of the products we use around the farm.
I walk you through the process we use to build gravel driveways and roads around the farm. After removing the topsoil, we typically start with a base of #2 limestone, or in this case #2 asphalt millings, as it saved us money. From there, we then add some #53 limestone followed by #8 limestone. The #2 provides a very solid base and the #53 fills in all the cervices really well. The #8 stone is a nice finish stone. This process has served us well over the years. Please leave your questions in the comment section.
Disclaimer: We participate in affiliate marketing programs and we may receive a small commission for any purchases made through the above links. There is no upcharge to you for this service. We appreciate your support!

Пікірлер: 121

@python3574 4 жыл бұрын

I totally agree about NOT using fabric. I see most people just blindly assuming they need fabric because of all the other people that blindly use it. That fabric is only necessary to stabilize sketchy ground. In your case, a packed clay base is far from sketchy. Using fabric will NEVER allow the rock to embed into the clay and "grab" it to keep it in place. It is just like having 6" of dirt on top of a sheet of plastic..... it will easily move around ALL the time. And if it rains and washes...it will wash it down to the fabric every time. People need to think it through before assuming fabric is the answer just because everybody else says so.

@leannabroom2896 3 жыл бұрын

Super appreciative of this video, and being honest. We just finished doing 4-20'x15" culverts with the same tractor you used in this video. We leveled, graded for proper flow of water, did rock, and dirt before and after , pact it, added more good dirt and rock, packed it again. We will be starting the driveway Thursday, and this video was so helpful. There is already a 10-12ft wide path, with a lot of exposed dirt. I'm just going to expose the good dirt, smooth and level a couple spots, and add a decent amount of dirt to a spot that has too much of a slope. Then just like this video will be doing the rock(2" limestone). It will take a little longer, but this video is exactly what I envisioned doing, and knew we could do it.

@rlmillercpa 3 жыл бұрын

I appreciate your leaning towards safety first.

@vinceshanks9210 4 жыл бұрын

With my old Case 580B I have found using the float function of the front loader and back dragging gives really good results spreading dirt and rock.

@daveb9575 3 жыл бұрын

Best way to spread material with a Case backhoe is to dump the bucket and push it slowly, work short sections, and then float it while back dragging. Pushing with the bucket in full dump position will keep it from digging down. Fixed many roads and pads with my Case 580D and 580L over the years.

@gustavozarate3280 3 жыл бұрын

Tons of Help- Thanks! And... Merry Christmas!

@inkbythebarrelandpaperbyth6905 3 жыл бұрын

My box blade and ford jubilee are gonna tackle this on my place. Thanks for the video

@TheFunOne333 3 жыл бұрын

Great info, thanks man.

@lisacarey4951 2 жыл бұрын

so cool to reuse the asphalt!!! Love it!

@IndyFarmLife 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! It was definitely helpful!

@2aisabsoluteTim Жыл бұрын

@@IndyFarmLife dumb question What would you use for gravel driveway

@bernadettelee5949 Жыл бұрын

Very much appreciated. Thank you.

@IndyFarmLife Жыл бұрын

You are welcome! Thanks for watching.

@tylersowa3337 3 жыл бұрын

Your method is CLEARY the same if not BETTER then most citys ! And at least half cheaper

@martinrose2759 Жыл бұрын

Loved the video. I am currently preparing to do the same thing on my farm.

@IndyFarmLife Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Good luck building your roads!

@mardy2630 Ай бұрын

That green tractor is insanely fast. WOW ! lol

@IndyFarmLife Ай бұрын

Pace Tractor for the Indy 500!

@chrs1212 Жыл бұрын

Solid video and info!

@IndyFarmLife Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

@DivineZeal 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing

@randywiley66 2 ай бұрын

Thx for the lesson

@JensHeijkoop 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for all the information and taking the time to document it all.

@MySliceOfHeavenoutdoors 4 жыл бұрын

Just found your channel, Nice video and Information. Looking to do my driveway this spring so trying to gather some info. Thanks for sharing

@tavareswashington8342 3 жыл бұрын

@@IndyFarmLife I want to put in a gravel driveway across a open area full of grass.What is the first thing I should do to get this done?

@CrazyCanuckFitness 2 жыл бұрын

This was a big help. I've got a small Access Road I've got to lay down

@IndyFarmLife 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Good luck with your project.

@gerlandkent6377 Жыл бұрын

thank you for you're video

@IndyFarmLife Жыл бұрын

You are welcome!

@kaleheidke5232 Жыл бұрын

Thanks mate.!

@IndyFarmLife Жыл бұрын

You bet!

@Matt10Lawrence 4 жыл бұрын

Working and reshaping the dirt and stone on my driveway was really one of the most fun jobs I've done with my tractor and box blade.

@123danks 3 жыл бұрын

I’m going to rent an excavator. Can I add dirt to the driveway to fix before adding the item 4?

@mrcontroversy222 3 жыл бұрын

@@123danks why are you getting an excavator?

@mvblitzyo 4 жыл бұрын

excellent ..

@RockhillfarmYT 3 жыл бұрын

You guys have a lot of equipment out there

@0987__ 2 жыл бұрын

Dope video

@IndyFarmLife 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 💯

@BTHAlaska 2 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU! This video is exactly what I needed. I just got a $17,000 quote for a 200’x17’ driveway and that’s only to access the property I have another 300’ to get to the build site. I am looking at buying a tractor and doing it myself for that kind of money.

@IndyFarmLife 2 жыл бұрын

Wow that's steep! Glad it was helpful! Here is another I made with a little more detail kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mruHn8-C0NKmk4E.html

@BTHAlaska 2 жыл бұрын

@@IndyFarmLife Just finished watching that video and that makes me way more comfortable with buying a tractor and doing it myself. I have some experience behind a skid steer and compact tractor doing landscaping so I should get the hang of it pretty quick. THANK YOU!

@andrewrivera4029 11 ай бұрын

Here in Wyoming I have these pools of clay intermixed in the valley I’m in and the clay literally squirts out when I drive equipment over it. I have a test spot that I’m using to see what actually works for coving that clay, good video.

@IndyFarmLife 11 ай бұрын

Interesting! I can't say I have experience in such terrain. Much different here in Indiana!

@charlescoker7752 3 жыл бұрын

They are not worried about grass ,or weeds growing up in it. But to keep the clay from working its way up into the gravel, or stone.

@robandnell4305 3 жыл бұрын

crushed pavement is great stuff when available. I am from Idaho and have wondered why they don't call rock crushed: 1/2"-, 3/4"- ,1"-, 2"minus and so on like we do in the west. To me it is alot easier to tell them what you want than saying 53, 02.or 8 limestone. Can anyone answer for me? Keep up the good work.

@gerlandkent6377 Жыл бұрын

I've got a natural gravel pit on the farm that has never been dug out I want to start digging out bank gravel to stock pile soon

@IndyFarmLife Жыл бұрын

That's a nice perk of the property for sure!

@GetTheNet1963 4 жыл бұрын

You will get better at using those buckets..... You kept the bucket tilted down instead of level which will (did) cause you to tilt from unlevel areas.

@jaymcfamus9206 2 жыл бұрын

Yep flat and run it in the pile at a little bit more speed (little)

@llkwildcattt 4 жыл бұрын

LS has a good deal on a tractor of that size for 20k brand new. It's called the mt345e , it's heavier than the Deere and will outpull the Deere for half the cost and what I really like about it, it's not made of plastic like the Deere.

@kingsmedley9282 3 жыл бұрын

@@IndyFarmLife The issue with LS for us here in Indiana is a lack of dealer support. I've found a few other fellow Hoosiers who have had them then ran into issue with some of the local dealers (within the 1 hour from Indy area). Around here JD, Kubota, Massey and Kioti are the best bets.

@tavareswashington8342 3 жыл бұрын

I mean what is the first thing to do if I want to prepare a area in a field for gravel driveway?

@supremenoodles488 4 жыл бұрын

What’s the price? I really need this to get it done for my driveway.

@zfilmmaker 3 жыл бұрын

Millings aren’t always cheap, price depends on supply. You can’t store piles of it like gravel, it needs to be spread sooner then later or it could harden. The warmer the weather (and sunnier) it melts and sticks together. Eventually when it packs down in warm sunny weather, it packs down hard like a blacktop plus and minus.... If you try to scrap it, it comes up in huge chunks.

@jakesbackhoedozerservice7010 Жыл бұрын

MFWD on a backhoe is night and day difference for productivity

@IndyFarmLife Жыл бұрын

I can imagine!!! Sure wish mine was

@hillarysucksass92 3 жыл бұрын

Dude you sound exactly like Matt Damon..👌 ....Apparently Jason Bourne ended up in Indiana 😂😂

@hillarysucksass92 3 жыл бұрын

@@IndyFarmLife Hahaha That'd be awesome.

@patrickjohnson6382 3 жыл бұрын

What was the depth of the base layer?

@dustysutton6071 3 жыл бұрын

Could this be done with an 80hp skid steer and a trackhoe?

@mjgoderre 4 жыл бұрын

I have recently bought a chunk of property to build my retirement home on. My first task is a driveway and clearing out of the bush. I have been researching to see what would the best piece of equipment be for me to buy. I am thinking I can save some money by doing my own driveway, trenching for hydro, footings, septic and overall landscaping. I have found a 1989 Case 580K for a decent price. In your opinion would a loader like the Case or a mini excavator serve me better. I keep in mind that I can always rent what I don’t have. Thanks

@thistledewoutdoors3331 3 жыл бұрын

I bought an awesome condition low hour full cab john deere 310A for $15k delivered & ended up doing everything but my driveway but,, I have a huge pond, a 2 acre food plot for deer, trails driving to & from back of property, moved my 35' travel trailer to the opposite side of the property, a 4wheeler & dirt bike race track for the kids & ,,,,,, a awesome back stop for shooting bows or ammo !!! Eventually I will do the driveway....Ha....

@warrenfogleman9962 3 жыл бұрын

Would number 3 work in place of number 2?

@gerlandkent6377 Жыл бұрын

I just bought a 1966 ck 530 188 case Diesel Backhoe for $2500.00 and I just bought a 1973 Ford f-700 DUMP trk 10ft DUMP body air breaks 361 5-spd 2-spd rear for $2500.00 all for the farm

@IndyFarmLife Жыл бұрын

Sounds like you are setup to do some work!

@12vLife 2 жыл бұрын

I have a wooded property in very sandy central Florida. I'd like to partially clear it, compact it and drop in a bunch of #57 in the form of a driveway to a clearing patch in the middle. But not just compact enough to drive over, but also a base for an eventual foundation for small/lightweight metal frame single story offgrid house. Is this possible and are their specific requirements I need to meet in Florida?

@IndyFarmLife 2 жыл бұрын

Great question that I don't really have an answer to. Ha. Around here if we have sand it's because someone ordered a truckload of it. My best advice would be to ask some local contractors their thoughts and how roads are built down there. It's a different animal it seems.

@JimCastleberry Ай бұрын

That green tractor got a mean top gear.

@IndyFarmLife Ай бұрын

Qualified for the Indy 500!

@gerlandkent6377 Жыл бұрын

I want to dig a 2 acre pond next and stock it with fresh water fish

@IndyFarmLife Жыл бұрын

It would be quite the task, but well worth it!

@chriscash5350 2 жыл бұрын

Any of those machines could do the job. Just gotta know how to run them.

@IndyFarmLife 2 жыл бұрын

Bingo! Each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. At the end of the day, just be safe!

@colinwalker8171 3 жыл бұрын

Why did ya not use ya bucket on ya Jcb and grade in reverse pulling ya pile backwards instead of trying to push forward

@danielreeves4799 3 жыл бұрын

What is cr-610

@danmcleod1360 2 ай бұрын

You need to put a crown in the road to drain water off the road. You never mentioned crowning.

@IndyFarmLife 2 ай бұрын

Great point! Yes, I definitely agree. Thanks for highlighting that.

@gutenbird 4 жыл бұрын

Why do I see that gravel collapsing and running down into the grass?

@JakeNBake 2 жыл бұрын

Road fabric isnt installed so grass doesnt grow its installed so you dont lose gravel by it goin into the dirt.

@IndyFarmLife 2 жыл бұрын

Yea, I may have left out that detail in my video. At any rate, I never use it. The clay we have rarely drinks up stone.

@andrewnotRFAC 4 жыл бұрын

I have a steep trail that i cant get my tractor up when its wet. Do you think i could use just the number 2 without putting the finer stuff on top?

@Chinahasbeengenerous 3 жыл бұрын

As long as you lay the base large aggregate deep and about 20 inch thick, assuming groundwater is saturated make sure you get deeper than the over burden. I worked as a grades man for six years doing rural and remote roads from scratch, just some friendly advice.

@dsssnm 3 жыл бұрын

@@Chinahasbeengenerous n

@rl4889 3 жыл бұрын

Is it ok for car tires to drive over 2 in or 3 in rocks ? Ty

@rl4889 3 жыл бұрын

@@IndyFarmLife thank you

@stevesmith-wc2gb 2 жыл бұрын

If it wasn’t so expensive I would place crusher run on top and use super dump truck

@IndyFarmLife 2 жыл бұрын

That would make a heck of a surface!

@iriliral6366 3 жыл бұрын

This video makes me realise that backhoe is a Swissknife, one must have dozer and excavator for heavy work🙄

@daveb9575 3 жыл бұрын

You can do most anything with a backhoe just might take a little longer, key is working short sections and keeping the grade under your machine smooth and level. Whatever the rear tires are running on is what the bucket is going to running. Always better to have a collection of equipment of course but if I only had one choice it would be my Case backhoe.

@randybobandy9828 3 жыл бұрын

If I where to rent/buy a single tractor for making a gravel road what would you recommend? I need to make about a 300-500ft gravel road on my property.

@LaoSoftware 2 жыл бұрын

How did your gravel road work out for you?

@randy4134 2 жыл бұрын

It depends how long you want it to take. I did a 450 foot driveway 6” thick in about 8 hours with a John Deere 1025R

@randybobandy9828 2 жыл бұрын

@@LaoSoftware I haven't got around to doing it actually. I was going to but shit came up last summer. I plan on doing it this month or next, depending on weather. The soil in my area is soo soft right now since the ice and snow have thawed out and it's been raining. Just walking on it my feet sink in about 3inches. I also plan to add power and a well so I can live on it while I build my shop.

@randybobandy9828 2 жыл бұрын

@@randy4134 well it all depends.. is it cheaper to rent a large Machine for a day or a smaller one for a couple days?

@bobmcdonald2905 4 жыл бұрын

My next door neighbor was killed, putting in a road and the tractor flipped over on him. No roll bar.

@DutchElmEnt 5 ай бұрын

How much do you think the rocks cost?

@IndyFarmLife 4 ай бұрын

This was years ago and you can usually get millings at a discount vs gravel. For reference, about 20 ton of #53 stone in my area is roughly $475 delivered. You can probably get the same load of millings for $350

@tylersowa3337 3 жыл бұрын

It will prob last longer also

@raevenbrooke3030 4 жыл бұрын

What was you total cost? Thank you

@williamjthompsonjr 4 жыл бұрын

@@IndyFarmLife how long was the driveway/ how many loads? I am thinking about doing a .5 mile driveway and trying to understand approximate cost.

@SoloJourneyandPJ 2 жыл бұрын

I just bought land in Indiana ..planning to build ..can you help?

@IndyFarmLife 2 жыл бұрын

I'm happy to help with advice, but I currently don't do any of this work on the side. Let me know if you have any questions!

@amped1one428 3 жыл бұрын

Thats not #2, its #3

@Crmnllmnt Жыл бұрын

Yeah pretty much I don't use the dust and I build my roads. It's too dusty. I use more of a gray grindstone sand binds better. Everything aggregate

@IndyFarmLife Жыл бұрын

I could see sand being another good option. So do you truck sand in after you lay your stone?

@Crmnllmnt Жыл бұрын

Well it doesn't matter how low you go down into the base dirt, a layer of stone dust should be put on the clay soil and then the stone put on top of the gray dust, because the rock in the clay will only rise to the surface after a year and you'll be back to the same thing red clay road

@amped1one428 3 жыл бұрын

Also the geotextile fabric is to keep the stones from sinking or clay from coming up, not to prevent weeds. This video is not the correct way of doing things

@amped1one428 3 жыл бұрын

Indy Farm Life doesnt the clay soften up in the winter when it get saturated?

@ef5842 2 жыл бұрын

We have the crushed asphalt in our neighborhood, and it's problematic. Within a month, after two rains, there are numerous dog bowl sized holes that eventually turn into ruts. Unless it's carefully graded and paved over with tar, it's no good by itself.

@randy4134 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve had opposite results, the crushed blacktop in my driveway holds up very well to vehicle traffic and heavy rain. It is sloped and doesn’t allow water to sit on it so that probably helps a ton.

@Crmnllmnt Жыл бұрын

Crushed aggregate asphalt is a carcinogen. I don't recommend using it. It will cause cancer

@josepca1 3 жыл бұрын

Is it just me, or is he just flexing showing all the equipment he has? I over here wishing I had a wheelbarrow and I would be happy doing the work with that. In all seriousness though, good job. If you got it like that, use it.

@josepca1 3 жыл бұрын

Ey man, I seriously did not mean anything malicious by my comment. I was just more impressed with all the different equipment you have. I seriously don't even own a wheelbarrow lol I have a little trailer that I can pull with my riding mower.

@josepca1 3 жыл бұрын

I will lay gravel right next to my driveway next spring, that's why I watched your video.

@josepca1 3 жыл бұрын

It'll probably end up being like 6-8 ft wide by 50-60 ft long, I'm probably go next to the garage too, so it'll add to the driveway length. Yeah, there were a couple other videos that recommended that. Thanks for the advice.