How to figure how many tons of gravel?

   / How to figure how many tons of gravel? #1  

Wacky

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2010
Messages
1,113
Location
West Virginia
Tractor
2010 GC2610
Is there a general formula or way of figuring generally how much stone is needed for an application?
Thanks!
 
   / How to figure how many tons of gravel? #2  
Is there a general formula or way of figuring generally how much stone is needed for an application?
Thanks!
length x width x depth (if all in feet) = cubic vol in cu. ft.

divide that by 27= cu. yards

Take cubic yards X 3000 divided by 2000 = tons that makes assumption your gravel is riunning 3000 pounds a yard.

Example 200 ft drive, 12 ft wide with 6 in of gravel would be:

200 x 12 X .5 = 1200 cu ft.

1200/27=44.4 cu.yards

44.4 x 3000/2000= 66.7 tons.

this is a "non compacted number" so depended on how you rolled it you could gross that number up.

Hope this helps
 
   / How to figure how many tons of gravel? #3  
I take a guess, and then order 4x what I think. :D
 
   / How to figure how many tons of gravel? #4  
I take a guess, and then order 4x what I think. :D
Anymore I order a tri-axle load as I get the best price that way and I will eventually use it.
 
   / How to figure how many tons of gravel? #6  
Call your local gravel pit. They can figure it up in a few seconds over the phone.
 
   / How to figure how many tons of gravel? #7  
Thanks for the calculator Wayne.
 
   / How to figure how many tons of gravel? #8  
Redhorse is pretty darn close. Around here in W. Ky, dense grade aggregate, which is the typical white rock used on driveways, weighs 3,000 to 3,500 lbs per ton, again depending on the amount of moisture, but usually when fairly dry.

I ordered 50 tons to use on an existing drive. I calculated out roughly 325' long X 8' wide X roughly 4" deep. That gave me a little under 867 cubic feet, or a little over 32 yards of DGA. Multiply that by 1.5 tons/yard to get a little over 48 tons. I ordered 50 tons and I think the truck ran out at around 330'. I've used this formula on numerous other occasions and have found it to be fairly accurate.

If you have a lot of rain just before your gravel is loaded, then you might want to adjust your number up to possibly 2 tons/yard.....or just wait for it to dry out. :thumbsup:
 
   / How to figure how many tons of gravel? #9  
I asked this question many years ago. Here is the answer I received from a helpful person:

==================

The "standard" around here seems to be what is locally called
"inch and a half crusher-run" limestone. This aggregate
varies in size from 1.5" down to almost powder. At the quarry
it was not screened. The fines in this mix pack very tightly
and supposedly form a seal that helps prevent water from
percolating into the clay (or whatever) below, and also help
keep the clay from rising up into the stone. The surface
hardens to a concrete-like feel, but it *will* erode if water
runs down the surface on a long slope. Having a crown on
the road surface will help, but it may be difficult to maintain
a crown over the years.

Limestone weighs roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard. A large dump
truck can haul about 20 tons, but I've had 30 tons delivered in
a single truck (probably overweight by law). You can order the
stone by the ton rather than by the truckload. The supplier can
determine the best way to load the trucks. And don't hesitate
to call more than one place and ask for a quote. They'll want
to know to where they are delivering before giving you a price,
of course.

You will probably want the truck to "tailgate" (spread) the stone
on your driveway. To do this, there must be a lot of overhead
clearance. When the truck bed is raised, it is quite high.
You said your driveway was flat, but if some other reader has a
steeply sloped driveway, they should know that the driver will
probably want to tailgate downhill to avoid the risk of standing
the dump truck up on end.

If possible, have the first loads of stone spread at the road end
of your driveway. That way the other trucks can drive over the
first load(s) and help pack it as they deliver subsequent loads.

Amount Needed for each 100 feet (in tons):

----------------- Thickness ----------------
| 4" 6" 8" 10" 12" 14"
|
Width 8' | 15 22 29 36 43 50
Width 10' | 18 27 36 45 53 62
Width 12' | 22 32 43 53 64 75
Width 14' | 25 37 50 62 75 87

For example...400 feet long, 12 feet wide, 10" thick would
require about 53 x 4 = 212 tons or roughly 10 truckloads at
21 tons per truckload.
 
   / How to figure how many tons of gravel? #10  
for me, there were no discount regardless of how much i wanted. max limit of roads is what the limiting factor for me. so i was limited to approx 15 tons per load. that is like half a semi trailer. the truck had 2 axles for a total of 8 tires on the back and 2 steering wheels on the front.

if you want them to spread it for you. by just dumping the rock as they go across the driveway, it may cost a little extra, many times not. but also be warned some times the drivers will down right refuse to do so. it is completely up to each driver if they want to do so or not.

when they start dumping that rock. that dump can go up 40 feet up into the air. ((height of truck plus the overlap piece that goes over the cab of the truck))

rock driveways always need a little bit here and there over the years. if you have a place to dump a little extra. and have a tractor or like to spread it. i would say if no discount per load or amount you order. just order one truck get it spread then order next and so on.
 
 
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