Dirt weight

[EdKing]

Does any one know the aproximate weight of a yard of top soil ? I am trying to figure out how much I can safely haul with my pickup/trailer.

Thanks in advance

 

[WVBill]

A lot depends on the dirt (e.g. moisture content, how "compact " it is, etc.).
My Dodge Ram 1500 has a 6' (approx 6'l x 18"d x 5'w) bed. I calculate that's about a yard and a half.
Last fall I went to the landscape place and got "topsoil" and the bed was almost down on the rubber bumpers before it was full. I got a load of "Leafgrow" - topsoil and leaf compost mix - and a full bed wasn't any where near maxing out the truck.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

We estimate sand and gravel at twenty five hundred pounds a yard. Top soil depending upon it's composition is going to be less than that. I'd guess typically a ton per yard.

Be nice to the operator of the loader. Some of them think it's funny when the bumper hits the pavement.

Before you go be sure you up the tire pressure. You'd be surprised how many folks don't think about that.

 

[EdKing]

Thanks guys, I knew some one would come through for me.

 

[rancar]

Ed,

See this website. It provides common weights of different materials. You figure out cubic foot capacity of your P/U and then you can determine how much you can safely haul.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ffcattachments.com/cdrom/common.htm>http://www.ffcattachments.com/cdrom/common.htm</A>

Regards,
Bob Ancar
Cambridge, NY

 

[Will_C]

I recently purchased two loads of top soil. The first weighed 9.25 tons on a 6 yard dump truck, the second 6 yard load (less clay in the composition) weighed 8.17 tons. Based on this, I think that 2500-300 pounds is a safe figure to use.

 

[Wood_Butcher_Dav]

A buddy of mine had a little black reference book that listed all kinds of material weight (among other things.) The book is usually sitting by the counter at various hardware stores. I keep telling my self to pick one up. From what I remember earth (dirt) was around 2300-2700 lbs. per yard, Sand 3300-3500, gravel 2400-2800. I guess it would depend how wet it is also.

Dave

 

[EdKing]

Thanks for the link Bob. It has a lot of other weights I needed as well.

 

[EdKing]

One more question. What's the going rate for a yard of top soil ? Is $30 a good price ?

 

[Will_C]

Ed, I am in upstate N.Y. and mine cost $9.00 a ton for screened top soil. This was good material, too. I am lucky that my brother still operates the family business, so trucking is free for me. I guess that would translate to arond $12-15 a yard, at the pit.