Hard arena sand

[torlon2001]

I have a sand horse arena (50x120) that has compacted over the years. I started with 4" of sand and added a second 3-4" a few years later. It's become increasing hard packed to where I can't get my 1 section drag to break it up. I have a Bobcat CT230 Compact Tractor (30 HP/5 ft wide) with a 1100 capacity 3 pt hitch. Is a disc harrow the best implement for me? I've been looking at the 6.5 foot (16-20-g) and 4 and 5 foot King Kutters since I'm only doing sand and would only use it once a year or so. Will a disc do the job...or is a tiller or other implement a better tool?? If a disc is right what type/brand do u recommend (cost is somewhat of a concern)? Thanks for any reply!

 

[CharlieS]

if you can control a disk depth, that will break up the crust but going to deep may pull up unwanted rocks and trash. same with a tiller. maybe an arena harrow or a spring tooth harrow would break it up. it might be worth bringing in another couple inches of fresh sand to work into it also.

 

[RickB]

There is all manner of arena fitting tools available for tractors your size. The most popular ones in this area use Danish S-tines with straight points and some type of rolling basket behind. Sundown is a good example.
A good quality arena mix will contain something like shredded tires to maintain a little 'give'.

Sundown : Pine Plains Tractor & Equipment, Inc., Sales and Service for our Customers!

 

[Johndeere3720]

my grandpa has 4 riding arenas, 3 of which are sand. He uses a scarfier on his bobcat skidsteer and a rotary rake to break down the dirt clods. His reasoning for the scarfier on the skidsteer is the down pressure. Down pressure is a key factor for digging on hard ground other wise you will find yourself adding a lot of weight to get it to dig in. does your FEL have the skidsteer quick attach?

 

[torlon2001]

No my FEL doesn't have the skidsteer quick attach. The scarfier is a good idea tho. I was thinking the 3 pt may offer some down pressure on a disc if I went with that type. The sand gets broken down into a powder and sets up super hard. Even if I load it up, my drag just skims across the top of the hard areas.

 

[dmay]

I'd be worried a disc would go too deep and mix sand and base material together. I think a box scraper scarifiers or C/S tine cultivator would work best to break up your compacted sand.

 

[Double6]

Check out this site for Arena Harrows:
They have a S-tine with rolling basket or look at the TR3.

Arena Harrows, Arena Groomer, Arena Drag ::ABI Attachments::

 

[charlz]

The sand gets broken down into a powder and sets up super hard. Even if I load it up, my drag just skims across the top of the hard areas.

Can you get a more coarse material to mix in? I don't know where you live but around here 'decomposed granite' seems to be a material of choice as it doesn't really compact/set up hard.

 

[sweettractors]

A machine such as this John Deere 9 shank ripper would do the job at $695 + shipping. Ken Sweet

 

[pitt_md]

I have horses and have a sand/dirt round pen that gets hard over time. I use my box blade with the scarifiers set all the way down to bust it up and level it out. i am sure it takes me more trips around than it would using a implement designed for the task but it works.

 

[newbury]

Thi does sound like a job for a box blade, which also has many other uses, rather than a dedicated tool for once or twice a year.

 

[RickB]

Thi does sound like a job for a box blade, which also has many other uses, rather than a dedicated tool for once or twice a year.

Once or twice a year won't cut it. Folks that are serious about a soft arena work it two or more times per week, many do it daily.