Not firewood this time but millings instead. Last winter I had 100 tons of crushed concrete brought in to make a driveway out to my wood piles. I was in need of more but this was better because it was free. Got 2 loads like this but could have had as many as I wanted. My brothers farm took 50-60 loads.
Yes it’s ground up asphalt from a repaving job about 5 miles away. And yes I will spread it like stone. This will take care of the low spots that can get a little muddy.
Man, I need some of that for my driveway. That's a fantastic score. Someone needs to start the asphalt millings version of chipdrop.
Bingo! That is amazing to get it for free. Wish someone offered it here! I paid several hundred to put some on my driveway. I had considered putting some of that in the barn but it would not pack in the barn like it does outside. I have found though that it does have a tendency to not hold too well on slanted ground.
Our landlord mustve got a bunch for free as he uses it for our driveway. Good deal as you cant beat free. I imagine it gets quite muddy during heavy rain.
I know plenty of farms that have used it for driveways and lanes and have no issues. Guess mid could be an issue if you didn’t lay it thick enough
Boy that looks like nice stuff! Many times there are large chunks in it that make it difficult to grade out smooth! If they are grinding road that is solid it comes out nice, if it is all busted up it comes up in big chunks...almost needs reground to be really usable. Once you have it graded out you can take a garden pump sprayer and spray used oil on it, that will allow the asphalt to knit back together almost as good as new...especially if you can "roll" it with something heavy, like a loaded dump truck, doubly so on a hot day. I've seen guys use double ground asphalt and an asphalt roller to make driveways that look like they were done by pros using new asphalt! Holds up nearly as well too.
The stuff right off the mill is much better than the double ground, screened stuff people pay for. I had 200 tons of crushed asphalt hauled in the redo my driveway and I wished I hadn't. It did lock up ok, but the top never really locked down. So it tracked the fines into the garage anytime it was wet and when dry, was dustier than I cared to subject my neighbors to. This year I bought a train of 1-1.5" limestone and skim coated everything to introduce larger aggregate into the drive and its been working beautifully.
Did you oil spray it before it was rolled/packed down? That helps a lot to minimize those issues...I've even seen people use blacktop sealer on it once its compacted good. I suppose what you get exactly can vary a good bit since new asphalt can vary in formula, and quality...also the age/condition of the road when it was ground...also what type/quality of aggregate was used in it originally.
I did not spray it with anything to help it bind back together. I dont feel like that's a good idea from an environmental stand point. I thought about the driveway sealer, but the top was just too loose. There was always a layer of loose sand and gravel on the surface. I do apply dust control a couple times a year. Calcium chloride dissolved in a tote that I outfitted with a spray bar, but that encourages tracking as well. The screened, double ground stuff has just been too processed. Breaking it all back down to its initial ingredients; sand and gravel, wont lead to a cohesive surface unless there is ample binder left in it to get it to lock back up. I guess mine was just too worn out.
Asphalt millings are not always the “ be all, do all” solution that people hope for. It depends all lot on the quality of them to begin with, and around here the good stuff gets recycled back into the hyway that is being resurfaced. Often times the problem is that they are not put down in a thick enough layer and then when it starts to break up there’s no way to grade it back smooth. There’s been several good suggestions about adding an oil and rolling it smooth in the heat. A lot will depend on how much heavy traffic it will be subjected to. I hope it works out well for your situation
We have 3/4 ton pick ups, but he often has 425 gallons on water on his that adds a ton of weight. That's not too heavy is it? $1000 for a truck load delivered (yes, the millings themself is only $350, it's the delivery to get it out here, and neighbors have borrowed tractor for another month, said they would come spread it. The husband did a couple loads at his house year before last and it's working well for them.
