We had some concrete poured a little while back, and the truck left some significant ruts in the back yard, some 6+ inches deep. I'm more worried about the function of having ruts while having kids run around and play back there.

I've got a couple different landscapers that have come by, one said he could fill them in with dirt for about $200. The other said dirt would just wash away, but sand would be ideal for $300/$400. The cost difference won't break the bank, but I do want to make sure that whatever we go with will last and eventually can grow grass in those areas.

Which way should I be leaning?

How much dirt we talking about?

You want to loosen up the soil a bit before just dumping soil in them. You could probably use a hand tiller in the ruts, then add soil and top with strips of sod or seed. If the area is heavily sloped both sand and soil would wash away in a heavy rain.

Roughly 10 yards from the bids.

It was pretty bad, and the back yard is fairly large. Some of the ruts are 5 inches deep. Stupid rain, they told me they would be using a cart, not bringing the truck back there.

definitely not soil building systems

Good question. I assume they use landscape supply around Waco area.

maybe living earth (waco)

Ruts are just displaced and/or compressed soil so all the soil you need to fill the ruts is still in your back yard. I would rent a large tiller and re-grade the surface. We have heavy clay soils that don't drain well so adding fill with different percolation rates might create new issues.

Bulldog73 said:

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It was pretty bad, and the back yard is fairly large. Some of the ruts are 5 inches deep. Stupid rain, they told me they would be using a cart, not bringing the truck back there.

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How large is the yard? A 6" deep x 12" wide rut is 1 CF of space per linear foot of rut for both sides of the vehicle. So 10 yards is enough to fill 270 linear feet. Do you have a football field in the back, or did they do donuts?

It's about 3/4 of an acre, so 10 yards may be a little high for what's needed.

I agree with this. That's why I must know.