Upgrading tractor for dragging horseback riding arenas

[areid]

I had a Kubota B3030 and upgraded to an L5240 with a cab. (Hydro) The new tractor pulls any sort of drag I put behind it. I highly recommend Kubota and a cab. Sorry no pictures of arena on this phone.

 

[areid]

This is one drag I use. Rake with concrete blocks for weight, pulls easily even in high range.

 

[billybonds]

I pulled the trigger and my 2023 L6060 was delivered last week. One of the final features that tipped me in that direction was the location of the fuel fill, which is right next to the right side step to get into the cab as opposed to on top of the hood. Top speed in Mid Range is actually a very nice and comfortable speed to just set it in cruise control go while dragging. Unless I am moving big amounts of earth, I dont think there will be any problems top dressing in high. As some pointed out, I def didnt need so much tractor for the intended purpose, but I made that mistake with my first tractor, getting just enough for what I need. I also really like all the features like the stall guard, automatic downshift, and linking the RPM to the pedal, I see them all as insurance policies against my workers wrecking my equipment.

As for the drag situation, I need something with a substantial grading bar for filling in holes created around barrel/poles, so a typical harrow style drag wont cut it. We actually use one now in conjunction with a TR3 to maintain our footing, harrow for top dressing and TR3 for repairs. I think we are going to switch to this style of drag.

 

[arrow]

I pulled the trigger and my 2023 L6060 was delivered last week. One of the final features that tipped me in that direction was the location of the fuel fill, which is right next to the right side step to get into the cab as opposed to on top of the hood. Top speed in Mid Range is actually a very nice and comfortable speed to just set it in cruise control go while dragging. Unless I am moving big amounts of earth, I dont think there will be any problems top dressing in high. As some pointed out, I def didnt need so much tractor for the intended purpose, but I made that mistake with my first tractor, getting just enough for what I need. I also really like all the features like the stall guard, automatic downshift, and linking the RPM to the pedal, I see them all as insurance policies against my workers wrecking my equipment.

As for the drag situation, I need something with a substantial grading bar for filling in holes created around barrel/poles, so a typical harrow style drag wont cut it. We actually use one now in conjunction with a TR3 to maintain our footing, harrow for top dressing and TR3 for repairs. I think we are going to switch to this style of drag.

I had one dressage riding ring I built to event size standards and layered with different recommended ground product for such.
We did stadium jumping and dressage within this area. The only tool I used to dress it was a reversed rear scraper blade. I scooped up manure with a front mounted fork first and then proceeded to dress the area.
Came out smooth as silk.
The rear scraper also came in very handy for snow removal.

 

[billybonds]

Have a brand new arena. Kubota L4760 w/cab pulls 6 ft rolling drag just fine in Med w/ high range on the splitter. Also have alcohol in the rear wheels. Always use 4wd. Our arena builder (one of the top arena builders in Loudoun County Va) advised us to drag at a max speed of 4mph, esp with drags that move material like the TR3 (which we used to have) because you can easily move around too much of the footing, lose the crown and then start bringing up the base. That was part of the reason we had to build a new arena - I trashed the old one. I can’t imagine not having the weight in the rear wheels. Running loader work with a full scoop of stone dust makes it light on the rear wheels. And it pulls 6 ft rotary just fine. But more hp is always better!

This is exactly why I hate the TR3 so much. Its so easy take too much material with you. Ground is wet and the tractor/drag tires sink in a litttle more than usual and you are making waves in your arena. And then the way the drag reacts as the tractor goes over waves just makes it 10x worse over time. The back rake just pushes material out , which results in the sides of your arena need constant maintenance. And when you are grooming 3 arenas with 3 different footings, it is just a total PITA.

I had my rear tires filled as well, I'm hoping the added weight will allow me to drag in 2wd instead of 4wd. I also think we will be switching to one of those drags which ride on a rolling "basket" in the rear with an adjustable grading bar in front of that and the S-tines in front of that. I'll probably keep the TR3 for grading the driveways and ripping the base up a bit if ever needed. I think the 60hp should let me pull an 8' drag with ease.

 

[photog]

Interesting question as I have a 23 year old Grand L3010 hydro at I bought new that I use a 7 foot wide Parma Arena Groomer on 2 outdoors and an indoor arena and can run in high all the time. I also cut the pastures in H usually unless the bouncing is too much. Maybe the older hydros were stronger.

 

[billybonds]

Interesting question as I have a 23 year old Grand L3010 hydro at I bought new that I use a 7 foot wide Parma Arena Groomer on 2 outdoors and an indoor arena and can run in high all the time. I also cut the pastures in H usually unless the bouncing is too much. Maybe the older hydros were stronger.

The drag I am looking to get is almost identical to the Parma, only difference is it’s welded together instead of bolted. I don’t think this style of drag requires much hp unless you are ripping real deep or have the grading bar set very aggressively.

 

[mike peyerl]

I am in the market to upgrade my tractor. The primary function will be to drag the 3 riding arenas at our boarding stable. What I THINK i need is based on the shortcomings of what I already have. I own a 35 HP hydrostatic which I purchased and a 40hp gear tractor which I inheritted. Pulling the same 6.5' TR3 drag, the hydrostatic cant even think about high range, sometimes struggles in mid rang depending on how much dirt/sand it engages with, and low range is just so slow I could shoot myself. The gear tractor pulls it just fine. So in my head, gear tractor > hydro

Another complication is who might operate it. I have 2 employees, a wife, and 2 small children who may operate it in the future. My wife and employees cant drive a golf cart around the property without crashing, so there is no way I will ever let them operate a gear tractor. If I get a gear machine, I will be the sole operator for many years to come, and I will need to keep the hydro tractor for them to use. If I go with a hydro tractor, i may let other operate it after to new toy excitement wears off, and I can sell the hydro tractor to recoup some of the investment. So in my head, hydro > gear

When I first bought my farm, an older friend told me when purchasing a tractor, go bigger than you think you need, and get the cab.....I didnt listen. I dont intend to make that mistake again. I plan to go as big as a can while staying in the compact/small utility size frame so I can still get in and out of my indoor riding areans. Hydro tractors seem to top out around 60hp. Frustratingly, dealers seem only to be capable of pushing whatever they have in stock on you as opposed to providing confident answers on what exactly would be best for my purposes.

So my main question is, will I be disappointed in the dragging power/speed of a 50-60hp hydrostatic like I am the 35?

What is the best tire for sand, snow, turf?

I think I only have New Holland, Kubota, Massey and Deere on Long Island, so I'm open to specific recommendations from those makes.

I have 2 tractors a 31hp gear and a 47hp hydro both are actually about the same frame size the smaller tractor will easily out pull the larger one with the hydro which has turf tires tires and the 31hp has industrial that are much better for dirt but useless in snow without chains so i don't know if it's tires or transmission

 

[WM75Guy]

We use an 8' Red Master II harrow for our dressage arena. They make a roller that can be interchanged for the rear blade but we don't need the fluff it provides. We pull it with the NH TC40DA 40HP HST.

 

[flyingace43]

I have a new Yanmar YT347 with the IHMT transmission and the difference between my case 45C and the yanmar is night and day. They also make it with a 59hp the YT359. It has a clutch but you do not need to use it it operates just like a hydro but has the power of a gear drive and they are priced less than the kubotas and deeres. I have owned 5 tractors and this is by far the nicest one I have had and sounds like it would work well for your needs.