Sod/Top Soil Weight

   / Sod/Top Soil Weight #1  

JimBinMI

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2000
Messages
1,008
Location
Coldwater, Michigan
Tractor
2015 Kubota BX25D-1, New Holland TZ18DA
Does anyone know how much a cubic foot of top soil weighs?

I've been using my rear scoop to remove sod and top soil from a low area at the end of my barn so that I can add fill dirt and then put the top soil back on so I have a smooth gradual approach to the end door. My tractor is only rated for the 6 cubic foot scoop but I use a 9 cubic foot because my dad found it at a yard sale for a good price. Just want to be careful not to lift too much.

I do fill it as full as possible and the 3 pt. has no problem, my 3 pt. is rated at 1265 lbs. at 24" aft the hitch. If you've looked at these ratings on other tractors, you know that this is very well rated for an 18.5 hp tractor. For example, the similarly priced but sub-compact BX2200 is only rated at 680 lbs.! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!
 
   / Sod/Top Soil Weight #2  
I don't know how much a cubic foot of dirt weighs, but I do happen to know that a cubic foot or marble (which I would presume is considerably heavier than dirt) weights approx 165 pounds. So 9 X 165 = 1350...it sounds like you will be OK to me....
 
   / Sod/Top Soil Weight
  • Thread Starter
#3  
ejb,

Are those your initials, if so that's weird, mine are jeb!

Thanks for the information, yes, I think that my soil weighs less than marble! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!
 
   / Sod/Top Soil Weight #4  
As long as the front wheels stay on the ground and the 3-point doesn't seem to be straining, I wouldn't worry about it, but of course, I don't know what dirt weighs either, but I do know the kind of soil, moisture content, etc. made a considerable difference.

Bird
 
   / Sod/Top Soil Weight
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Bird,

I keep the front wheels on the ground with a little help from about 190 lbs. of suitcase weights hanging on the front bumper! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!
 
   / Sod/Top Soil Weight #6  
Jim,

You can figure about 3000# for 27 cu ft or 1 cu yd. That would be approximately 1000# and probably a little less since it is not packed very tight.
 
   / Sod/Top Soil Weight
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Wen,

Thanks for the info, I appreciate your help! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Just don't want to overwork my tractor and end up kicking myself.

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!
 
   / Sod/Top Soil Weight #8  
Jim your a teacher right? Well you more so than me should know that the greek word tractorous means---work the tar out of me and I will come back for more!!!!! I have time tested that definition with my tractor time and time again and I know your little blue could do the same. As long as the front wheels are still on the ground your up town./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Gordon
 
   / Sod/Top Soil Weight
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Gordon,

Thanks for the insight! I just wanted reassurance, that's all. Since I'm using the next size up for what's rated for my tractor in a rear scoop, I just wanted to be sure. If I had a front end loader, I could probably "burn the candle at both ends" if you know what I mean! I'm dumping the top soil about 30' away so it's not bad, but I sure do a lot of trips. Once I move it I can call a co-worker that has a dump truck and he'll get me some fill, then I can spread that and then go through the process of putting the top soil back on top!

My co-worker also owns a Hough FEL, 300+ hp that rocks! For $80/each trip he would have the removal and replacement done in about 10-20 minutes, his bucket is about 11' wide! But what the heck, I have the time and my tractor still needs broken in...have about 75 hours on it now.

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!
 
   / Sod/Top Soil Weight #10  
Jim: I felt challenged so I dusted off an old college textbook "The Nature and Properties of Soils". Yes folks, an entire book on dirt! Fortunately, I've also got "Tractors and Their Power Units" which was a much more interesting class. Anyway, Wen's response was right on. I've got a table with the bulk densities of some topsoils from various states, various cropping, blah, blah, blah - it boils down to: "Clayey and silty surface soils may vary from 65 to 100 lb to the cubic foot; sands and sandy loams may show a variation of 75 to 110 pounds." (this is dry) Thank you Jim, I now know why I saved a book on dirt for 15 years!
 
 
 
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