Median cleanouts

[PLM-1]

First off, I'm not sure if I have this in the correct forum as it doesn't really fit into any of the others.

I have been contacted by a current client to clean out some parking lot medians. They are about a half a city block long and 4.5 feet between the curbs except for one which is about 12"; 7 total. I didn't get a chance to measure the actual length yet. They are set up between the parking rows. The gravel is between two 6" tall asphalt curbs. Basically they want the existing gravel/debris removed and weed barrier with new base gravel installed.

How would you go about removing what's there? I'm afraid to break the curb as it is just asphalt and not in good condition. I was thinking about just using the SS to drag it back and over the curb just working my way down. Also, since I don't do much with gravel, how do I go about getting the quantity correct since it is delivered in tons?

[okeefl]

How about renting a mini excavator to remove the gravel, looks like you may be able to get it right up in there. As far as the quantity goes, most suppliers will convert the cubic yardage to tons for you when you tell them what material you will be ordering.

[PLM-1]

I thought about a mini ex but I think the gravel is only about 6" deep or so with asphalt underneath. I plan on going out with a shovel to find out.

[PLM-1]

I was correct. The gravel is on top of asphalt and between curbs sitting on that. This job kinda scares me.

Any more input!?

[RGM]

i would have to put down some total vegetation killer like Ortho or something similar wait a week or so and come by and clean it up

[Bigred350]

you need a bachoe, skid steer and a dump truck.

Take the backhoe and scoop up the gravel. Then dump the gravel into the bucket of the skid steer. The dump the skid steer in the dump truck.

[Dirt Digger2]

i would get a small skid loader or stand on unit...just be careful when crossing the curb because my guess would be that it is just sitting on the blacktop and if you nudge it, it will break

["Ground Control"]

I agree with Dirt Digger, I would get a small skidsteer (one that has a small enough bucket so you can go lengthwise down the median). I dont know for sure but you might be able to find a bobcat with a bucket like 4feet wide. If not you'll have to rent a dingo, boxer, or similiar..... I know our local rental place has an older model bobcat that would work. Like a 420? or something like that, they are really small...they use them a lot to clean out coralls. As for the 12" median...get out the shovel...:weightlifter:
Hope this helps.

[sbvfd592]

why bother the parking lot looks like crud also

[ed2hess]

why bother the parking lot looks like crud also

Exactly....at most take a weedeater and trim that stuff all down, blow it off. Put down a liquid Pre-m and when spring comes hit it with terminator Round-up with guick kill and it will be done.

[SiteSolutions]

Hire a truck, use a big enough mini ex to straddle the whole gravel bed, load the truck direct with the mini ex.

Hire a truck and bring in new gravel. chain the tailgate shut and have him pick up the bed part way. Reach into the truck bed (again, get a rather large mini ex) and scoop out some gravel and place it in the gravel bed.

Having a skid steer handy to move the new gravel into place would work too. I already have a loader so I would bring it.

Since the asphalt bottom is going to be hidden by new gravel, the only reason to not tear it up is because it will just take more gravel to fill it. If you tear up a little bit of it here or there, it probably won't be a big deal. Not like you could make the parking lot any uglier.

My guess is that the price to do this right is going to be too high for them anyway. Maybe $1500 in crushed stone and another $1500-$2500 in machine time. Plus, hauling the old gravel off is going to cost you a few bucks as well. Without getting out my slide rule I am going to guess that this job could run four or five thousand dollars, maybe even more. Depending on what type of weed barrier they want. That super thick black plastic is expensive as all get out. You might spend over $500 just on that, if that's what they want. I think fabric would be cheaper.

Good luck. I would love to hear how this one turns out.

[Military Lawns]

why bother the parking lot looks like crud also

That is what I was thinking! This is probably something I would pass on or maybe we do not know the whole story to make an informed decision.

DJ-

[PLM-1]

i would get a small skid loader or stand on unit...just be careful when crossing the curb because my guess would be that it is just sitting on the blacktop and if you nudge it, it will break
That was exactly what I was thinking!

After I'm finished with this mess, they are going to have the blacktop re-slurried including the curbs. I previously gave them the advice of just pulling out the weeds, but they insisted upon removing the gravel so the weed barrier can be installed. I got an email from them last night about possibly reusing the gravel after it has been cleaned out depending on cost of new.

As for equipment. I see a mini-ex or a backhoe taking forever; however I'm thinking it will be the best thing. I like the idea of the dingo or MT52 but i'm just afraid of breaking the curbs and getting in and out from between the curbs with a loaded bucket with all the twisting.

[lawnMaster5000]

dont drive the MT55 out of between the curbs, use it to dump into a full size bobcat bucket, or drive your truck (or whatever you are loading the rock into) straddling the curbs. This way you can dump over the back of the truck and never have to turn the mt.

[New Bern Bear]

I have done jobs just like this. My question is ... why remove all the rock just to put down fabric. This would be a waste of time and resources. What I would do is cleanup the area and apply a mixture of Carmex, Arsenal and round-up. The treatment of this area is really no different than a rock area of an electrical substation. A good Bare ground treatment mix of the above will last months and save thousands. The removal and replacement of the rock with the addition of fiber will not discourage weeds for long. As leaves and debris gets caught in the rocks and breaks down, the weeds will come.
Time for a scheduled maintenance program ... something it appears from the pictures, has been lacking.

Please make sure you have the proper spray license and read the label ...

Hope this helps and best of luck

[PLM-1]

I have done jobs just like this. My question is ... why remove all the rock just to put down fabric. This would be a waste of time and resources. What I would do is cleanup the area and apply a mixture of Carmex, Arsenal and round-up. The treatment of this area is really no different than a rock area of an electrical substation. A good Bare ground treatment mix of the above will last months and save thousands. The removal and replacement of the rock with the addition of fiber will not discourage weeds for long. As leaves and debris gets caught in the rocks and breaks down, the weeds will come.
Time for a scheduled maintenance program ... something it appears from the pictures, has been lacking.

Please make sure you have the proper spray license and read the label ...

Hope this helps and best of luck

That sounds more inline. Thank you for the reply.