Gravel coverage

[Robbie Hegwood]

I have a question I'm sure one or more of my fellow TBN'ers can answer. A trucking terminal near my work has trailer parking, along the back of this paved lot there is a small field that is overgrown. They are parking a few trailers here. I am going to stop by tomorrow and try to land a job clearing this for them, I am going to suggest putting gravel down. My question is what to put down first, I was told "fiber" and then gravel. What size stone, what is the formula for coverage? Can I put down the "fiber" directly on top of the mulch I just created or will I need to grade? Can I put the rock down without fiber? Bring on the suggestions!!!! Thanks in advance Robbie.

 

[Egon]

Too much missing information to even make a recommendation other than go talk to your gravel supplier.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Egon, what kind of info would you need?I can elaborate if it helps. I've seen what I would call regular gravel you find on personal drives and "construction" stone that was as big as the palm of your hand. Your the only one who answered and I was hoping to go there tomorrow. Robbie

 

[rdln]

Edw. C. Levy Co. - Slag, Aggregates, Asphalt, Steel Mill Services

use this website as a guide. names of aggregate varies across the country its tough to decipher without pictures or technical description.

Like the wise Egon says, tough to say w/o being there, whatever you due look at drainage and to determine if raising area of field prevents pavement from draining.

good luck on the geotextile fabric, its a tough sell when it costs double the cost of mat'ls for the job

 

[Egon]

Just a few details involved:

Subbase preparation: -- soil type, drainage, removal and disposal of organic mater, how thick a compacted base pad required and how will you do it? How will it be designed for the weight of the trucks?

Granular base:-- need for cloth? crushed gravel - how deep, different layers and sizes of crushed gravel, how well graded is the gravel, compaction required, setting the top slopes/grades for drainage, where does drainage go etc.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Thanks for the reply. I see where your going. I think I'll stick to mulching. I seem to know how to do that!!! They are already parking trucks on it. It does have a downhill grade continueing from the paved part. I have done work for a grading contractor who I wouldn't mind getting in on this job. I would not like to be the source of creating a problem. It does not appear to have any prier preping so the work needed would be more than I'm knowledgably able. I am capable of doing the tractor work if I knew what that was. Thanks for the reply, you saved me from overextending myself. Robbie

 

[EddieWalker]

Robbie,

I gotta agree with your latest post. It might be an easy job of just spreading some stone, but than again, it probably isn't. Once you get involved in providing that service and taking payment for it, you open yourself up to all sorts of long term obligations.

Spreading gravel over large areas requires skill, experience and special tools. You "can" do it with a loader bucket, but it's very doubtful that you will get in right without allot of practice.

There is also no garantee that they will continue to use the area the same as they are now if you modify it. What if they start hostling in this area and realy put some heavy weight on it in bad weather? 60,000 pounds in a trailer isn't uncommon and turning those trailers around can really tear up the pavement.

Egon nailed it. Too much information missing here and you'd realy have to know your dirt, plus know how to build roads and parking lots. From drainage to compaction to what materials to use and how thick they need to be.

I sure wouldn't attempt it.
Eddie

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Hey Eddie, You and Egon are absolutely correct. Just not my area of expertice. Your points are well taken about future use and liability.I am a maint. guy at a Kroger warehouse and see everynight what these tractor/trailers can do. I'll still offer to clear the lots and they can do with as they please. I'm glad I posted the question for I believe ya'll saved me some embarrasment and or liability. I'll pass this job to my grading contractor and let him do his thing. Robbie

 

[Egon]

grading contractor

You mentioned a grading contractor. Work on him doing the job and you hire out some of your equipment.

There may just be another way to get involved with the work and gain some experience.