Green Horizons

Barrel "plug" centered behind the tailgate forces gravel to fall in the tire tracks of your road.

Probably every woodland owner has an access road to a cabin, lake or picnic area. Most of these property owners usually spread gravel to avoid muddy roads, ruts, and stuck vehicles. At $180 to $210 per load of rock, money can be spent real fast if one is not careful.

Tailgate chains set for spreading rock prevent the "plug" from falling out.

You really need rock only where you drive and not in the center of the road. So, when you order rock from the quarry, tell them you want what is called a "plug" put in the truck before the rock is loaded. Typically the quarry will then center a small barrel just behind the tailgate. This plug will prevent the rock from falling in the middle of the road.

To be on the safe side (and avoid a long pause on the phone), simply cut a small log, 6- to 8-inches in diameter and 30- to 32-inches long, and take it to the quarry and explain what you want.

Using a plug forward about 20 yards at the beginning of your road. This will allow a small amount of rock next to the tailgate to be spread in a tailgate-wide sheet will prevent rock from falling in the middle of the road, allowing you to rock existing roads for less!

So, what do you do if the truck arrives at your property with no plug in place? Never fear; there is a simple way to solve the problem. Have the driver set the chains on the tailgate as normal. But, then have him (or her) leave the bed flat and quickly drive on your road (like normal). Next climb up on the back of the truck and drop your cut log in place next to the center of the tailgate. When the driver raises the truck bed to spread, the rock will now come out in the desired two track-wide streams; perfect to drive on.

If the road has never had rock, use 3" for a base. Once this is worked in over a month or so, spread another 1-1/2" on top. As the gravel gets worked into the ground, simply spread another 1-1/2" every two or three years to keep your road in good shape. This simple technique will allow you to either rock existing access roads for less or rock more roads with your current gravel dollars!