Add the fee for a small truck load.
⚙️Calculation Parameters
📊Calculated Output
How Short-Load Charge Calculator Works?
To apply a short-load charge, the Short-Load Charge Calculator compares your order with the supplier minimum and applies the pricing rule the supplier gives you. The process takes 4 steps.
Enter the order
Type the ordered cubic yards (yd³) or cubic meters (m³).
Enter the minimum
Type the supplier full-load threshold, such as 5 yd³ or 7 yd³.
Pick the rule
Choose a flat fee, a fee per short yard, or a minimum billed volume.
Read the effect
The calculator shows the fee, the total and the effective price per yard.
Short-Load Charge Calculator Formula
The Short-Load Charge Calculator supports 3 common rule types.
Per short yard
F = r × max(0, M − Q)M minimum and Q ordered yards.
Flat fee
F = f, if Q < MOne fee below the minimum.
Minimum billing
Billed = max(Q, M) × p_ydPay for the minimum volume.
Worked example: 2 yd³ order, 5 yd³ minimum, $40 per short yard, $165 per yd³
- Short yards = 5 − 2 = 3
- F = 3 × $40 = $120
- Effective price = ($330 + $120) ÷ 2 = $225 per yd³
Short-Load Charge Calculator Conversion Table
The short-load conversion table applies a sample rule of $40 per short yard below a 5 yd³ minimum at $165 per yd³.
| Order | Short yards | Short-load fee | Material | Effective per yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 yd³ | 4.5 yd³ | $180.00 | $82.50 | $525.00 |
| 1.0 yd³ | 4.0 yd³ | $160.00 | $165.00 | $325.00 |
| 1.5 yd³ | 3.5 yd³ | $140.00 | $247.50 | $258.33 |
| 2.0 yd³ | 3.0 yd³ | $120.00 | $330.00 | $225.00 |
| 3.0 yd³ | 2.0 yd³ | $80.00 | $495.00 | $191.67 |
| 4.0 yd³ | 1.0 yd³ | $40.00 | $660.00 | $175.00 |
| 5.0 yd³ | 0.0 yd³ | $0.00 | $825.00 | $165.00 |
Prices are sample inputs. Enter local prices for a real estimate. Some plants use a flat fee or bill the full minimum instead.
What is Short-Load Charge Calculator?
A Short-Load Charge Calculator is a pricing tool that applies a supplier's short-load rule to concrete truck orders below the minimum yardage.
A mixer truck costs the plant nearly the same to run with 2 yd³ as with 9 yd³, so plants add a fee to small orders. Pier jobs often fall below the line. The calculator shows the effective price per yard after the fee, which is the number to compare with bagged concrete.
Adding piers, a pad or a walkway to the same pour can push an order past the minimum and remove the fee.
What are the uses of Short-Load Charge Calculator?
There are 4 main uses of the Short-Load Charge Calculator.
Small pier pours
Builders see the true cost of a 1 yd³ to 3 yd³ order.
Pour combining
Contractors add other work to reach the minimum.
Supplier comparison
Owners compare plants with different rules.
Bag vs truck
Estimators compare the effective price with bags.
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