FAQ
How many tons and cubic yards of material come in a transfer load?
Our transfers average about 24.5 tons per load. The volume of sand and crushed gravel will be about 16.3 cubic yards and heavier materials such as base rock and grindings is 13.6 cubic yards. Dirt is a little trickier because it is loose in the truck so it starts out in the 16.3 cubic foot range but when compacted after being placed it will reduce to 13.6 cubic yards. When our competitors quote 20 cubic yard loads, that is the size of the trailers, but any transfer hauling 20 cubic yards of material would be overloaded and illegal.
What is the average width and distance a load of material will cover?
The average width spread is nine feet. The length depends on the type of material and how deep it is spread. We suggest spreading most crushed rock and base rock three inches deep. The average length for crushed rock (3/4″, 1/2″, 3/8″) is 200 feet and for more dense materials like base rock and grindings it is 165 feet. When using sand for dust control we suggest one inch deep which will be about 600 feet long or about 1/8th of a mile. At three inches deep crushed gravels will cover 1,800 square feet while base rock and grindings will cover 1,500 square feet.
What do you recommend for driveways and parking lots?
We suggest our processed grindings for parking lots and driveways. This forms a solid base and low amounts of dust. However, it is denser than gravel so a load of 3/4″ crushed will cover a larger area. Over time crushed material will move around more and is pushed into the roadway. Base rock will form a solid base and prevent mud, but it can be dusty. All grindings, base rock and gravel that are compacted will loosen up when vehicles turn on it, especially when pulling trailers.
What materials are best to prevent muddy roads in the winter versus dust control in the summer?
All base rock, crushed gravel and grindings will help prevent mud in the winter if it is not under standing water. Grindings and crushed rock are the best to prevent dust, base rock can be a little dustier.
What do you mean by processed grindings?
Grindings are made when a contractor grinds out an existing asphalt roadway. This material usually is inconsistent in size and can contain larger chunks of asphalt, especially when removing older roads. We bring the asphalt grindings to our yard and run it through our rock crusher making a uniform product similar in size to base rock.
Do the grindings bond back together?
Summer heat can soften the asphalt oil in the grindings allowing some bonding of the material back together. Do not expect grindings to result in a paved driveway though. What can help this process is the application of road oil by our sister company, Talley Oil, (559) 673-9011.
How long can I expect different materials to last before being pushed into roadway or pushed of the side?
Base rock and grindings should last many years under normal traffic conditions because they form a compact solid base. Crushed gravel moves around more and will need to be reapplied after a few years. Not all the gravel leaves the location but in pushed into the roadway creating a solid base. Concrete borders or railroads ties can reduce loss of material and add an attractive border. High volumes of traffic and vehicles (especially those pulling trailers) turning on the material will decrease compaction and increase loss of material.
Can your trucks spread the material?
Yes, certain types of trucks, including transfers, can spread the material. Please let us know when ordering if spreading is needed. Some touch up work with a tractor may be needed.
Is there a discount if I order more than one load?
Discounts may apply for orders of four loads, please ask when ordering.
Will the crushed rock damage my tires?
The typical size crushed rock we sale to homeowners, 3/4″ crush, will not damage or pop a car’s tires. Larger sizes such as 1 1/2″ crush or track out rock may increase tire wear. Smaller sizes, 1/2″ crush and 3/8″ crush may be little more attractive but the rock can stick in car and pick up tires and be tracked onto roadways.