I was expecting this stuff to pack like concrete. The vegetation and soil were stripped, native clay soil rolled with a vibrating roller and graded. 4-6" stone dust added half at a time, wet and rolled. I let this ring sit for 6 months ish?? The stone dust is still like footing… I haven’t dragged it, but if I did, it would be soft like footing. I am tempted to just use it as is until it gets too hard (if that ever happens) Anyone have any advice? Thanks
I’ve been disappointed in stone dust for the same reason. It doesn’t PACK like other screenings. My lime screenings in Minnesota packed waaaaaay harder than the blue stone dust here in CT.
No advice, unfortunately. Just commiseration.
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Did you get washed or unwashed stone dust. In my experience, the unwashed compacts faster. In any case, use it. Eventually, it will compact.
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Thanks for the response IFG. I’m not sure if it was washed or not. There was only one choice. When you say “use it” do you mean ride on it? Or use the material and wait lol?
Yes, ride on it. I have been building my ring for 12 years. I ride on it, it gets hard, I get another couple of loads. At some point, it will be high enough that I can put sand on top, but, for now, it is a work in progress.
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Perfect, I was hoping that would work
Sounds like the stone dust you used had an inadequate amount of fines. You need a lot of finer particles to get good packing. In your scenario, I would ride on your base for about a year (or really as long as you want), allowing it to go through some freeze/thaw cycles. When you find that the footing is tending to pack quickly between groomings, then re-level and re-pack with a vibrating roller. And before you do that perhaps consider adding another inch of stone dust that actually has a lot of fines in it (talk to your quarry to see if they can provide this). Then go ahead and add your desired footing.
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Yes, for my quarry, it is unwashed stone dust (has fines) versus washed (no fines).
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I had this happen to me as well- asked for 3/8" minus crushed limestone. It was 3/8" minus, just all MINUS…all fines, very little 3/8", and wouldn’t compact well. It is the variety of particle sizes that improves compaction (need large and small angular particles). I ended up mixing in some Class 5 (3/4" minus limestone w fines) and then the base compacted really well.
I also had people tell me that “ag lime” would not pack. I went with “dusty 12” which are fines and dust. It packs like concrete.
Yes, just ride on it. I did this for about a year and a half. Even dragged it with a chain link harrow. I then added about 2-3 inches of sand and 15 years later, it’s still pretty good.
I have stonedust flooring my stalls & aisleway.
Barn was built almost 15yrs ago.
At first it had the consistency of beach sand, but over time (guesstimate: within 5yrs) it has compacted in the stalls so it could be taken for concrete, but still drains great.
In the aisle it feels like concrete to me, easily swept & even hosed.
But (unshod) horses still leave shallow imprints - so some “cush” for them.
Thank you guys for the responses! I think I’ll ride on it for now and maybe add something with some fines to help it pack when I need to put some actual footing on top
I think that would work. Seeing the date of your post (February) one would think you had had enough rain to help pack it down. Ours packed like concrete so it is slightly domed so a lot of rain drains off, rather than sinking in. You do need fines - ours was described as 3/8 minus, too.
The AgLime i got for my ring packed. The stuff i got last summer does not. They have changed the formulation in the last few years from what i understand.
Foxtrot, yes we’ve had so much rain here in MD
