My driveway is 1000ft gravel
I would put the bucket as high as you could get it for the first couple uses. Then drive your car/truck on it as needed. Get a good base set up get that gravel froze in there good with some on top. Before setting up to leave the 1/2 inch for the rest of the winter. You can set it up for a regular hard surface drive once you get a base set up. 1000 ft going to be a very good work out with a small walk behind