To use a scraper blade with the best results, it is recommended to get to work when the gravel is slightly damp rather than bone dry or soaking wet; the day after rainfall is best. This is because some light moisture can help the material settle once it's been graded (the term for leveling a driveway out). Now of course, a tractor and scraper blade aren't practical for every property, and not everyone even wants to get behind the wheel of a tractor. But for anyone with a long gravel driveway that takes a regular beating from weather and traffic, these tools can save hours of labor while helping keep the surface smoother for longer. If you own a riding mower or lawn tractor, you also have the option of attaching a tow-behind grader, which can also do a similar job of leveling gravel, but nothing compared to a blade on a full-sized tractor.