Any ideas on how to break-up ice on a gravel driveway?

[Velma]

I don't have a box blade...it seems the scarifiers + weight would be the ticket.

I do have a rear angle blade and tried tilting to one side to just use a sharp edge...limited success, mine only weighs ~300#....just not heavy enough.

I also have a middle buster...suspect that is also too light and will only skip across the surface

bucket is also limited but can at least put some downforce on it

also thought about using the 'teeth' on the bottom edge of the grapple...but they are round...suspect it will also just skip across the surface

 

[airbiscuit]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xgQ_Khbju1Y

 

[Dustball]

Weighted towable or 3-point drum spike aerator

Roller-road truck breaking icy snow on street

youtube.com

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Ice is incredibly hard to break up, it really depends on what's under it and how deep it's frozen.

 

[jimh406]

I don't really have a problem with ice on my driveway for a short period. When it's really cold, it seems to be easy to drive on. We do have 4 wheel drive vehicles.

For short sections, I use my bucket at a steep angle. Otherwise, go out when it's a warmer day and be patient and use the rear blade. I find I turn up a bit of the gravel which adds tot he traction without causing any damage.

If it's really frozen deeply, I don't think scarifiers will work very well. They won't dig deep in that situation.

Finally, keep some gravel on hand to dump on the ice, or use the bucket to dig down a bit.

 

[mikester]

 

[GreensvilleJay]

A leaky loaded rear tire works.....
yeah, 39 dayze......

 

[ayak]

View attachment 147962

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xgQ_Khbju1Y

I have a few chronically icy areas on my inclined gravel driveway where this toothbar with the FEL works really well. I’ve been able to bust ice that’s up to 2” thick with it.

 

[Kennyd4110]

Global Warming

 

[chim]

Salt and sunshine

 

[S-G-R]

It won't break it up but will give you traction. Fortunately, we are relatively flat here and the sun usually keeps the ice at bay.

 

[madplanter]

I don't have a box blade...it seems the scarifiers + weight would be the ticket.

I do have a rear angle blade and tried tilting to one side to just use a sharp edge...limited success, mine only weighs ~300#....just not heavy enough.

I also have a middle buster...suspect that is also too light and will only skip across the surface

bucket is also limited but can at least put some downforce on it

also thought about using the 'teeth' on the bottom edge of the grapple...but they are round...suspect it will also just skip across the surface

Spread antiskid on it and move on. The antiskid will help it melt by heating up in the sun and the grittiness of it will make it grip. Make sure you get the kind with some fines in it.

 

[RCW]

If you or someone you know burns wood or coal, ashes work very well. Sand does well also.

Get some sunshine on the dark ashes or sand does wonders.

I tend to put down multiple layers of sand or ashes over the course of the winter. When things start to thaw, those layers get exposed successively, preventing the ice from being too slippery.

I don’t like to break the ice up. Tears up the gravel surface underneath.

My driveway is such that all salt does is make little holes in the ice….

 

[SDT]

Salt and sunshine

Bingo.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

crushed black granite
coarse sand
hibernate

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[je1279]

I've had this problem a number of times and am currently facing it again. Unfortunately, our driveway doesn't see much sunlight, but I am going to try sand this time and see how that works.

 

[RCW]

I've had this problem a number of times and am currently facing it again. Unfortunately, our driveway doesn't see much sunlight, but I am going to try sand this time and see how that works.

View attachment 148025

One thing I’ve learned is that it’s best to routinely sand if required.

I probably have 3-4 applications like this on my driveway. My snowblower leaves the sand when I blow snow next time. Doesn’t cut that close.

I also sometimes use non-skid like mentioned before. Use it mostly on patio entrance to back door of garage. Little goes a long ways, and can track into the house.

Granulated limestone. 50# was $7. Common at farm stores.

 

[John T]

Salt and sunshine

I usually pretreat ( asphalt) with rock salt. (actually Magic salt)

back patio is concrete so salt is NO BUENO ... I johnny apple seed some ashes from the wood stove. so me and the dogs don't fall and bust our azz...

when it finally dries up .... I'll just use the leaf blower to clear it.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

This thread is about ‘ideas’, correct?…I am not sure this would work or not (I suspect would depend on how thick the ice and how big the machine), but I would wonder whether or not manure forks/tines work if the ice not too thick? Or maybe forks? I just wonder could you get them under ice and sort of pup it up? (I’ve never tried myself… usually throw sand or ash down)

Good luck.