Well, it's almost that time again...time to maintain your driveway. Before the rains (hopefully) begin, let's have a discussion about the different materials available for this purpose. The two main products used are 3/4" crushed rock and 3/4" base rock. First, 3/4" crushed is a consistently sized angular rock that drains well, but really only holds together by its shape - it does not compact. Next, base rock (otherwise known as virgin base) is comprised of the same 3/4" angular rock AND smaller pieces (all the way down to powder) - these are called "fines". This material does actually compact, or bind together, and is generally meant to be non-permeable (water is to run off, not drain through). These two products are the most commonly used for driveways and parking areas - the gray gravel you typically see in rural applications. Asphalt grindings are another great product. They are pavement ground out of an area (to include fines, as described above). Technically speaking, when these grindings are spread, watered and rolled to compact - the results are impressive! Recycled base is just what the name implies: concrete and asphalt rubble that has been crushed into base material - it even meets the same Cal Trans specs as gravel (or virgin) base. Ideally, the installation of all base type products is the same - spread, water and roll to compact. Crushed would only be spread - due to not containing the fines as the base does. We can deliver to you (and in many cases "tailgate spread") any of the materials noted above OR you can be loaded in our yard. Either way, keep in mind that this is traditionally the season for maintaining your driveway and parking areas (though not glamourous, can we consider this a "rain dance" of sorts?), and our delivery times can get extended by weeks. Not to "muddy the waters" with more information, but we also keep in stock a "cold patch" material used to fill pot holes in paved areas. Please call the office, and one of our experienced staff will be delighted to discuss your particular situation in order to get you the materials you need. Happy "dancing"!

     The throes of a busy season...so much advance planning, anticipation, projecting. And here we are! With that in mind, we thought we would put out some information about our industry - specifically the "language" that pertains to the business we do.

      Let's start with yardage. Materials we sell are measured in "cubic yards" - basically a 3' x 3' x 3' cube. (There is a simple calculator for figuring area measurements into the cubic yards needed to complete your project on the Products page of our website.) When you purchase and pick up materials in our facility here in Auburn, we sell to you by the "yard" (or fraction thereof). We can load you with 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or full yard quantities, as well as by the "bucket/bag". (We can sell product to fill a 5 gallon bucket you would provide or empty sandbag that we sell by the each.) When we deliver our materials to you, our two smaller trucks deliver by the yard (up to and including three yards in our Dodge 5500 or six yards in our split truck, respectively) - with an additional flat delivery fee determined by geographical distance. When discussing the two larger trucks in our fleet, the conversation shifts to tonnage, or materials sold by the "ton". As a general rule, we multiply the number of cubic yards by 1.3 to establish the amount of tons needed. A "10 wheel" (or dual rear axle dump truck) has a 12.5 ton capacity on average, while a "transfer" (the same truck with a trailer behind) has a 23.5 ton payload capacity. When you purchase products that we deliver by the ton, the delivery fee is included in the per ton price. 

     Our philosophy here at Robinson Sand and Gravel is to service you, our valued customer, with respect and transparency. Respect for the fact that if we don't have you, we don't have a business at all - no paychecks mean no mortgages paid or children fed. With that being said, the cost of running a fleet of delivery trucks (wages, insurance, fuel, maintenance, etc.) as a direct application of the delivery fees that we charge is what we mean by transparency - we respect you enough to be transparent. 

     Thanks for giving us an opportunity to clarify some terminology and in the process, hopefully, earn your business and hard earned money. We promise that we will work hard in return to have an honest relationship.

Well, here we are - construction is complete on our new website, and it feels a bit like a “welcome to the neighborhood” or “reveal” party. After being around for 74 years...go figure! We thought maybe we would reacquaint you with some of the most valuable members of our team - our Drivers! Although we all feel pretty strongly that we are all cogs on the wheel that is Robinson Sand and Gravel, everyone necessary for the gears to turn, these guys are essential from start to finish. Most of the materials in our yard are brought to us by our very own fleet, on a “stockpile” run from various plants/quarries in the area (although some as far away as Clear Lake!). These products are then available for you to pick up here in Auburn or have delivered to you, usually in quantities of six yards or less (larger quantities are picked up at the plants and brought directly to your location). So, back to our original thought - these drivers matter! Terry has been part of this (dare we say “institution”?) for 34 years now - different iterations, but really enjoys the independence of being on the road and interacting with customers. Scooter is our meticulous social butterfly - the inside of his truck is probably cleaner than an O.R. at the local hospital! Frank is a young gun, always ready to go and get something done - a good quality in an employee, to be sure. Speaking of quality, Sam (our driver of few words) has been at Robinson’s for 20 years this June, and is still one of our most dependable and customer favorites. Adron is our newest driver, proving to be capable and adept in every situation and enjoys meeting our customers. We are blessed to have an incredible talent pool - and enjoy them as family, as well. We hope you appreciate them as much as we do!