Landscape curb machine

[cheese1566]

Anyone here have a landscape curb machine or business?

I can borrow one to use and need some guidance in costs and estimating of materials.

[NC_JEFF]

Are you pouring cement borders, putting in steel edging or trenching beds!

[cheese1566]

Are you pouring cement borders, putting in steel edging or trenching beds!

putting in concrete formed edging using a small extruding curb machine. Pour in small amounts of mixed sand/ cement and out comes a small curb. The mix has to be just right to hold its shape and not slump, but enough water mix in the cement.

I need a little to figure how far one mix will go and to estimate how much sand to order.

[NC_JEFF]

We thought about getting one of those years ago but have never had enough demand to justify the cost of the equipment. I would think the linear ft coverage vs. cubic yards required info would be available from the manufacturer of any of these cement border machines. The amount should ne close to what a "street" curb machine uses.

[Gunor]

Local contractor has one - this is the 6" 'half-round" type - lays on top of Asphalt paving. I think he runs 7,000 PSI concrete thru it - fairly dry....I am surprised at how long these curbs last (mild temp here on the northern coast of Oregon).

[Gofaaast]

I have no experience with a small curb machine but have poured and finished thousands of yards of concrete. I would use cubic feet to do your estimating since you are on a smaller scale. For reference there are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard of concrete. I.E. Your curb is 6"x6" so every 4 feet you lay down is one cubic foot. A 94 pound sack of Portland cement is close to a cubic foot. I would use the 3-2-1 mix, meaning 3 parts rock 2 parts sand and 1 part cement. If you contact your local aggregate company they will help you estimate also. If I had 300' to lay 6"x6" I would buy 13 sacks of Portland, 2500 pounds of sand and, 3700 pounds of rock. You could also use quickrete or a product like that if you don't want to do all the mixing of the materials, but usually if you go this route and have much volume at all it is cheaper to order ready mix. Post the dimension the curb mold is, and I can estimate using that.

[Sweetpea]

You can't use rock with those machines, they won't handle it.

Be sure to use a wire to make some relief cuts every four feet while it is still wet.

[cheese1566]

The recipe I have is 4 five gallon buckets of sand with a 47 pound bag of type I/II Portland cement with enough water for no slump.

[Plate plinker]

how many feet do you intend to build?

[Duckiller]

Better have some slump in your mix. DON'T put any wire/steel in what you pour. Expansion joints every 10 feet. Your 6"x6" curb better have 4-6" in the ground. Most contractors don't use curb machines. Forming is cheaper, faster , and better. They are also forming curb and gutter at the same time. Concrete WILL crack. Wire/steel won't stop the cracks, it will just make removal a bigger problem than it has to be.

[cheese1566]

Depending how it goes, about 300-400 feet.


It isn't a common street curb or parking lot curb. It is more a decorative border for grass and rock landscaping. It just sits on top the packed soil or bed of sand.

[Duckiller]

Form it and pour with 2000-2500psi concrete and 3+/-" of slump.