Arena levelling

[bunyip]

We are trying to complete a 45x45m horse arena, have the gravel down and as level as we can get it and have now started on the packing sand, just about finished this and I dump it and back drag to smooth it out a bit but when the time comes I need to level it off before the sand top goes on.
I have messed around with a grader and a landscape rake but don't really like what they do, have a harrow in a frame which I haven't tried yet, can anyone suggest what is the best way to get a smooth finish?
That packing sand varies a bit in depth to fill the uneveness of the gravel but mostly about 3-4" deep, we have had a bit of rain of late so I am waiting for it to dry out as the tractor sinks when it is wet so I achieve nothing.
Quick note, a neighbour watching me dump the sand asked why I raised the bucket to the maximum height before dumping, simple, the packing sand developes some big solid lumps and dumping it from about 7' breaks it up before I back drag it into a line.
Grader, has a following wheel I can engage if need be but I find the edge digs in sometimes and cuts a furrow.
Landscape Rake, too aggressive a pulls up the gravel underneath.
Harrows, still to be fitted when I have assembleb it into the frame.
Link to the harrows PASTURE HARROWS 4FT 4" - Hayes Products - Tractor Attachments and Implements

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Scout around and see if you can find a land plane to rent.

 

[bcp]

Build something like this. Adjust size as needed, or to utilize your materials. Stays on top, doesn't dig in, makes a smooth surface.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...d-plane-question-post3973234.html#post3973234

Bruce

 

[oosik]

A few companies make an implement called - arena rake. Its a 3-point implement - levels and smoothes. I bet you could look long & hard and not find one of those though. Lot easier to find a land plane grading scraper and it should do a great job.

 

[shui5612]

If the terrain is smooth enough and you just want to even out the surface or tire marks I suggest you either weld up a box plane made out of 3/4inch rebar or get a section of chain link (say 6ft) fence, put some 6x6s ontop for weight and drive around with an atv. The more you drive the better it will even out. If you want a sketch of the rebar prototype I can help, it's light weight enough and does an amazing job. Only thing is, they break when they snag onto a brach/root/big rock..

 

[WM75Guy]

My wife rides dressage. I had a contractor come in with a dozer with laser levels on the blade to level our 60m X 20m dressage arena. It took less than a day and it was smooth with a 1 degree slope to help it drain. We drag it with a 8' Red Master II harrow. The tines are set to about 2" deep and the blade covers up the ruts the tines make.

Red Master II & III - Arena Drag

 

[bunyip]

Lot to consider here, I will try the harrow angled down using the frame as a land plane )(we call them a smudger) and if that fails will try the link put up, I think I have some rebar laying around so that could be an option too.
I have seen the TR3 unit (not here, on youtube) and I could weld up a rough variant.
Unfortunately you can't hire implements although machinery is available.
This has cost me a bomb so far and I don't want to make another contractor a millionaire, just hope daughters appreciate the effort that is going into this, still have to work out what the final topping is going to cost.

 

[drssg]

I worked my butt off trying to finish our arena myself. No one can say I didn’t try, but the more I worked on it, the worse it looked. I finally hired a professional with integrated laser leveling attachments on his tractor, and that was money well spent.

An arena is an odd project, in that the cost of materials can outweigh the cost of labor. If the packing sand layer is not done right, you’ll have gravel working its way to the surface for the rest of your life.

I vote for finding someone in your area that has put in a lot of arenas and check out their work.