6 tons of sand?? Really??? ETA: 4 tons is not much!

[Penturner]

1 cubic yard will cover 144 Square feet to a depth of 3 inches. So you need just over 2 yards. I have no idea how much sand weighs but it is heavier than topsoil. topsoil runs about 2 tons per yard. so even with that you need 4 tons. sand is even heavier so the 5 to 6 ton could very well be right in the ball park. I do wonder, If you where not going to believe the guy, Why did you even bother asking him?

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

Here is what I would do!

First what kind of company are you planning to get it from?

Call them and ask them 2 questions :

What's their minimum load weight? If they say its something like 5 tons, then 2nd question : Can you pick up a smaller load yourself?

It sounds to me that 2 ton no more than 3 will suffice nicely...SO...If you have a heavy duty truck or a large trailer (i'd prefer using the trailer) tack up a couple of boards boards all around the bottom of the trailer for temporary use, a tarp and go and get them to fill the amount in the trailer. it may be a bit hellish on the truck thats hauling it (and make sure you got a vehicle that can haul that kind of weight!!!) gas wise but you'll probably get it about 2 $ cheaper a ton, your saving money from not having to fork out for 2X the sand you dont need, and your not wasting.

though of course if you have a spot or a need for the extra sand, by all means get them to deliver it and use it!!

 

[Dogfish]

Get 6 tons. There is always a reason to use some sand. Heck, throw a beach party if you don't use it all. It is CHEAP!

 

[PineappleMama]

Quote:
That was going to be my next question. Someone (can't for the life of me remember who now) posted saying that they'd taken their truck to the place. They filled it up. Ran home and unloaded and were back in time to get one more load before closing.

Of course, you need a truck and have to secure a tarp well. But could avoid the minimums.

Funny Penturner, that's exactly how I look at concrete math! I picture a 3'x3' paver, and then I factor in the depth to see how many 'pavers' I can get out of a yard. Hubby looked at me like I was bananas at first but then he had the Aha moment. They always used this calculator jobber that reminds me of what teachers use to figure grades... if there are X questions and you missed X the grade is... those things? Anywho, just neat that I'm not the only one who broke it down that way.

 

[FireTigeris]

Quote:
That was going to be my next question. Someone (can't for the life of me remember who now) posted saying that they'd taken their truck to the place. They filled it up. Ran home and unloaded and were back in time to get one more load before closing.

Of course, you need a truck and have to secure a tarp well. But could avoid the minimums.

Funny Penturner, that's exactly how I look at concrete math! I picture a 3'x3' paver, and then I factor in the depth to see how many 'pavers' I can get out of a yard. Hubby looked at me like I was bananas at first but then he had the Aha moment. They always used this calculator jobber that reminds me of what teachers use to figure grades... if there are X questions and you missed X the grade is... those things? Anywho, just neat that I'm not the only one who broke it down that way.

E-Z graders ... so parents can't whine about a 92 vs a 93... well there were 17 problems ... and I gave partial credit... would you rather the 80?

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

It took me 5,600 pounds to do my runs. I have 6 of them.

That was about 3-4 deep per run. None are the same size, either.

And it's well worth it.

It was $17 -something for them to put 2,300 in the bed of my truck. I had to shovel into the runs myself and YES I was SORE the next day--I shoveled all 5,600# in one day!

 

[Qi Chicken]

Well, we got 4 tons delivered this afternoon. That sounds like a lot of sand...........but it's not! It's in a big pile right now. I'll let you know how deep it is when we get the posts cemented in and it spread out etc.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
That was going to be my next question. Someone (can't for the life of me remember who now) posted saying that they'd taken their truck to the place. They filled it up. Ran home and unloaded and were back in time to get one more load before closing.

Of course, you need a truck and have to secure a tarp well. But could avoid the minimums.

Funny Penturner, that's exactly how I look at concrete math! I picture a 3'x3' paver, and then I factor in the depth to see how many 'pavers' I can get out of a yard. Hubby looked at me like I was bananas at first but then he had the Aha moment. They always used this calculator jobber that reminds me of what teachers use to figure grades... if there are X questions and you missed X the grade is... those things? Anywho, just neat that I'm not the only one who broke it down that way.

That was me!

 

[Penturner]

Quote:
I meant to mention that also. A Ton sounds like it would be a lot of sand, but it's not. Most people are used to those bags of sand from Home Depot. those are 2/3 Cubic Foot bags but I am not certain just how heavy they are. It takes 36 of those bags to equal 1 yard. I am pretty sure you are already well over a ton of sand in just those bags. Maybe close to two tons.

A warning bout picking up your own sand. Just because it fits in your truck, does not mean your truck can carry it. Ask about the weight of the material.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
I meant to mention that also. A Ton sounds like it would be a lot of sand, but it's not. Most people are used to those bags of sand from Home Depot. those are 2/3 Cubic Foot bags but I am not certain just how heavy they are. It takes 36 of those bags to equal 1 yard. I am pretty sure you are already well over a ton of sand in just those bags. Maybe close to two tons.

A warning bout picking up your own sand. Just because it fits in your truck, does not mean your truck can carry it. Ask about the weight of the material.

Bags at Home Depot are usually 50#

Yeah, they wouldn't have loaded it into our truck if we had a 1/2 ton--we have a 3/4 ton and I could feel the 2,300# of sand in the bed for sure! LOL