February 9, 2023
Material
#57 rock is a crushed aggregate which is useful for a wide range of industrial and landscaping projects. Because of its versatility and durability, #57 rock can be used for anything from a huge construction project to build multiple parking lots to a small residential job to decorate a landscape. The number 57 comes from the size of the sieve through which the rock is sifted, separated, and crushed into smaller pieces. This process ensures that #57 rock can be used for a variety of purposes.
This type of rock is very similar to gravel and can be used for many of the same purposes. It’s about the same size as quarters and nickels, around 1-1.5 inches in diameter. #57 rock is sourced from natural stone deposits, so each batch differs. Depending on where it comes from, #57 rock can include materials such as granite, limestone, and washed gravel. In Texas, limestone is the most common type of stone used in #57 rock because of its ready availability in the state, but other materials are used as well.
#57 Rock can be used for anything from driveways, sidewalks, roads and parking lots to pipelines and utility lines. While it is not the most aesthetically pleasing rock, its jagged edges and angular shape help it keep its shape quite well. #57 rock also lasts for years, holding together walls, underground pipes, utility lines, and more. Plus, it’s a great drainage solution for any areas which are often exposed to water or rain, such as sewer lines or landscaped areas which need to be watered often. However, #57 rock is not the only option for holding together driveways or underground pipelines, so we’ll offer some alternative choices that work just as well.
#57 rock is sometimes called “driveway gravel” because of its similarity to the material and its frequent use in driveways and roads. Like #57 rock, gravel is a loose material with jagged edges that is great for draining water in areas that often get wet.
Asphalt Millings is recycled asphalt that is commonly used for driveways and roads, much like #57 rock. One downside is that it is not the best for wet areas and requires more upkeep than other materials. In addition, asphalt millings frequently does not have a predictable size since it is not often run through a screen or sieve.
Like #57 rock and gravel, utility rock has jagged edges that allow it to easily drain water. While it is not the strongest kind of rock, it is a good alternative for projects like parking lots, driveways, landscaping, and pipeline construction.
Road base is similar to asphalt and is often used for driveways, parking lots, and roads in areas where asphalt millings is not available or is too expensive to source. It is a cost-effective alternative but doesn’t last as long as true asphalt or #57 rock. In addition, the material is not screened to be uniform and so will come with a range of material size from fines to 3” rock, depending on the type of base ordered. The material is screened for maximum material size and is sold in a variety of sizes based on the needs of the project.
The ultimate price of #57 rock is determined by the type, weight, and location. While it is not necessarily difficult to find #57 rock in Texas, material availability is another issue. The rock is one of the most popular construction rocks used in a wide range of projects. As a result, the material is often purchased in bulk, with large customers purchasing the entire supply from the quarry. Most prices for rocks are given in tons, so it’s a good idea to figure out how much you need before ordering so you can compare prices and find which type of stone is most cost efficient for your project.
As your trusted aggregate hauling experts, we at Twisted Nail can help you order #57 rock in any amount and make sure it’s ready where you need it, when you need it. Our team has strong connections with local quarries in the Austin, Bryan, and Waco areas of Texas, and we can source #57 rock with pit-to-plant, pit-to-jobsite, or pit-to-consumer hauling so that you can get your stone wherever you need it. We also help you find the best price for #57 rock so you can focus on getting quality materials at the right price.
When you order with us, we’ll take the pressure off you and handle quarry direct trucking, shipping, and delivery. While you can order #57 rock directly from a quarry, it’s often easier, faster, and more cost effective to work with a company which already has close connections with quarries. That way, you don’t have to find and coordinate with quarries on your own, can leverage bulk purchasing discounts, and can ensure you are purchasing from the quarry closest to your project to save on transport costs. Contact us today with any questions or to order #57 rock with experts you can trust.
An end dumps carry weight depends heavily on the specific road regulations, the power unit weight, and the composition of the trailer. A steel trailer, typically referred to as a Round Bottom, will be heavier and will have a payload of approximately 21 to 23 tons. By contrast, an aluminum end dump is much lighter and can carry anywhere from 23-28 tons, with some set-ups being able to approach 30-ton payloads.
End dumps are typically loaded by heavy machinery, such as a front-end loader or excavator, or by a series of conveyor belts. End dumps are top load trailers. An owner-operator with an end dump trailer will uncover the trailer via an electric tarp switch in the cab. With the trailer uncovered, the heavy machinery is free to load from the top of the trailer, being careful to evenly distribute the material. Once loaded, the owner-operator flips the tarp switch, covers the load, and continues their run.
There are several different types of hydraulic lifts that are usually part of dump trailers. These include telescopic, dual-piston, and scissor lifts, among others. Most dump trailers use hydraulics to automatically lift the dump box and unload the materials in a quick, seamless action.
An end dump is an excellent investment for owner operators or construction companies that transport bulk aggregate on a frequent basis. Depending on your needs, a steel or aluminum end dump will ensure that you are able to reliable keep your customers jobsites and stockpiles full.
Depending on market timing, a typical aluminum end dump will range between $15,000 to $70,000+, with steel round bottoms priced around $10,000-$50,000+. These trailers are also offered for rent or lease, with trailers available for around $850-$2,000 per month. When renting or leasing, it is typical for all repairs to be the responsibility of the renting owner operator.
Flex base can be an excellent choice for a driveway but is not often used as a primary input in TXDOT construction. Flex base is best suited for farm roads, driveways, RV pads, and for other foundations that will not receive heavy traffic. Flex base is cheaper than most alternative options, such as asphalt or base that meets TXDOT specifications. Additionally, once set and compacted, a flex base road or driveway is cheaper and easier to maintain.
Yes, road base and flex base are the same material family. That said, the differentiating factor is typically the testing results of each material. When shopping for material, it is important to identify exactly what type of material you are buying. Retailers will categorize Base as a broad category and can leave identification to consumers, which is challenging and confusing. In general, if a retailer is selling a Road Base it can be assumed that the material is of higher construction quality than flex base, meaning it will have a wider range of approved uses. However, some vendors will sell Flex Base as a Road Base; this makes it important to understand if the material you are purchasing is a true Flex Base, is ‘Spec 247’, or is TXDOT approved. With each increase in quality comes an increase in cost, so it is important to identify which material will best suit the needs of your project.
Flex Base is a mixture of loose aggregate and coarse aggregate, can be a wide range of color based on source location, and is composed of materials ranging from dirt to rock that are 1”-3” in size. Most Flex Base, particularly around Central Texas, will range from tan to brown, will consist of a dirt material and rocks that range from 1” to 2” in diameter. There are specialty materials that will include rocks up to 3” in size, but these are typically reserved for heavy construction projects.
Any driveway’s depth should be at least 5” to ensure structural integrity and better load capacity. For road base in particular, experts recommend a thickness of 6-8”.
Twisted Nail is here to help. If you need something hauled in central Texas, we can get your job done, safely, timely, and reliably.
