Short load
A concrete order smaller than the supplier's minimum quantity, which carries a per-yard surcharge because the truck's trip cost is the same regardless of load size.
What does short load mean?
Short-load fees can rival the cost of the concrete itself on very small orders, which changes the math on small projects. Alternatives include volumetric mixers that batch only what is used, trailer-mounted mixers, and bagged mix for genuinely small quantities. Combining several small pours into one delivery is the usual way to avoid the charge.
In practice
For a two-yard patio, the short-load fee is often the reason a homeowner is quoted a surprisingly high number.