Excavator returning from a gravel pile to place bedding material beneath next stage of pipe. Gravel boxes keep the bedding material closer to the trench reducing time traveling to and from gravel piles.
A bedding box, also called a gravel box or stone box, is a rugged steel container used on excavation and utility projects to store and manage bedding material such as gravel, sand, or stone. Excavators load material into the box, then pull it along the trench as work progresses. This keeps the job site clean, reduces spillage, and ensures crews have an even supply of material exactly where it’s needed.
The process eliminates double handling of material. Instead of repeatedly traveling back to a pile, the operator simply drags the bedding box forward along the trench line as work progresses.
Bedding boxes let operators keep material close to the trench, cutting down loader travel time. Crews spend less time moving back and forth between stockpiles and more time installing pipe or conduit.
By containing gravel or stone, a bedding box prevents scattered debris that can damage finished work or create tripping hazards. The controlled environment keeps the trench area clear and safe.
Without a box, bedding material can be lost from spillage or over-loading. Bedding boxes prevent this loss, helping companies save thousands of dollars per project in wasted aggregate.
The operator can meter out the exact amount of material needed for each section of pipe or conduit. This leads to better compaction and more uniform bedding, which directly affects the longevity of the installed infrastructure.
Municipal and Utility Projects: Water, sewer, and storm line installations.
Telecom and Electrical Work: Keeping sand or crushed stone nearby for conduit protection.
Commercial Construction: Site development and underground drainage systems.
Road and Highway Work: Bedding for culverts and utility crossings.
A bedding box is not just a metal container, it’s an essential tool for efficient, profitable excavation. It organizes your site, reduces waste, and dramatically improves speed and precision.
Whether you’re laying pipe, building storm drains, or installing underground utilities, a properly sized bedding box keeps your operation smooth and productive.
At Bedding Boxes Direct, we fabricate heavy-duty, American-made bedding boxes engineered for real-world performance. Built to last, customizable in color, and available in many capacities.
Project: 1.2-mile stormwater drainage installation in Lansing, MI
Company: Great Lakes Excavation
Equipment Used: 14-yard bedding box from Bedding Boxes Direct
On a 1.2-mile stormwater drainage installation in Lansing, MI, Great Lakes Excavation was losing bedding stone and significant time hauling material from a distant stockpile. After switching to a 14-yard bedding box, crews positioned stone directly beside the trench, allowing the excavator to pull material as pipe was laid. The change boosted daily production from 80 to 130 feet, reduced waste by 18%, and saved roughly $650 in labor each day, allowing the box to pay for itself in under two weeks.
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