How much dirt is in a yard?
Summary
Determining the exact amount of dirt in a yard is complex, as it varies significantly depending on factors like moisture content, soil composition, and organic material. Forum users have shared their insights on the weight and volume of dirt, highlighting the variability and offering practical advice based on their experiences.
According to our forum users, the weight of a yard of soil can vary:
- One user estimates, "Soil weighs approximately 3600lbs per yard depending on moisture content organic material soil structure and makeup" -- AllSeasonServices, Lawnsite.com
- Another user estimates a cubic yard of topsoil weighs between 2025 to 2700 lbs, explaining, "A cubic foot of top soil weighs 75-100lbs. 27 cubic ft in a yard. 100x27 = 2700. 75x27 = 2025." -- RakenShovel, Lawnsite.com
- Another user notes that after rain, half a yard of topsoil felt significantly heavy, stating, "It had to have been over 2000lbs just for that half a yard ... I'd put a dry yard in the 3000lb range, as there's always some moisture content." -- 360ci, Lawnsite.com
Keep in mind that the type of soil also influences the weight, as one user points out, "Topsoil is loamy soil mostly sand and silt, Also it should have a lower moisture content and have a high organic material content. Its right about 2800=3000 per yard depending on quality." -- AllSeasonServices, Lawnsite.com
Post Mentions
- a cubic yard of concrete wet is roughly 3500 pounds..so no dirt is coming close to touching that number. Figured I'd go ahead and add it. A cubic foot of top soil weighs 75-100lbs. 27 cubic ft in a yard. 100x27 = 2700. 75x27 = 2025.
- Soil weighs approximately 3600lbs per yard depending on moisture content organic material soil structure and makeup. Topsoil is loamy soil mostly sand and silt, Also it should have a lower moisture content and have a high organic material content. Its right about 2800=3000 per yard depending on...
- I picked up half a cubic yard of topsoil last Thursday here in southern Ontario. It had rained the night before, so it was more like mud, than soil. My trailer (3500lb axle) sunk down a good 3", and about an inch of that was in part to the tires alone. It had to have been over 2000lbs just for...
- i was wondering if any one new how much a yard of topsoil weighed to see how much i can carry in my truck at one time, have a big job to do gonna need around 9-10 yrds. Thanks, Marc
- I have a customer that has a really steep ditch in his front yard. He's getting older and is tired of weed eating the ditch every week. He can't mow it due to the steepness of it. He wants me to install a drainage pipe with a catch basin and cover with fill dirt and then topsoil. Baically make...
- if you ever have a job where you need more then 10 yards of top soil, i would try Manchester Materials. They got some nice topsoil, and at around 14.00 a yard if your ordering more then 20 yards. Shop around, 32.50 is really high. They usually sell it at around 20 a yard i think if your not...
- The cheap topsoil which is screened brown dirt is 20 dollars a yard and its not very good stuff. We also have swamp muck its screened soil dredged out of marsh and swampy areas. Its pretty sour takes alot of work to grow anything in it.
- I can get dyed mulch for $26 @ the place wanting $39 for dirt. Seems weird. I need to call my buddy that has contacts and see what kind of prices he can get.
- Can call the guy that carried it back there. But he didn't seem interested in doing it when he started in on, the right way to do it is dig it out, get a Harley rake, Yada Yada Yada. The rental place has one though but it weighs 1000lbs more than thr mini skid.
- Except you'll have to re seed and fertilize, which will cost you more than just topdressing it would. I run a scut with a fel, tiller, rake, etc. very rarely do I suggest tilling, unless it's prepping for sod or the grade is extremely poor but even then, the grade can be fixed with a load or 2...
Related Threads
- I have a customer that has a really steep ditch in his front yard. He's getting older and is tired of weed eating the ditch every week. He can't mow it due to the steepness of it. He wants me to install a drainage pipe with a catch basin and cover with fill dirt and then topsoil. Baically make...
- When I moved in to my new house last winter, my leach field for my septic had settled and I have 5 dips across my yard. I'm looking to get topsoil delivered and likely rent a mini skid to move it around and gain some experience on one. I'm not looking to cover my entire back yard and reseed all...
- Just looking for a quick estimate on how much it would be to spread 150 yards of top soil for seed preparation. The yard meausres 100 feet by 175 feet and 4 inches of top soil are needed. According to my numbers it will need about 160 yards of soil. I will beat others estimates but am...
- i was wondering if any one new how much a yard of topsoil weighed to see how much i can carry in my truck at one time, have a big job to do gonna need around 9-10 yrds. Thanks, Marc
