Help with horse arena groomer

[gates]

Don't be surprised. It is very easily done where the horses have worn in a path, thus the footing needs to be reworked.
A chain harrow will not level the footing completely. You need to be able to move material to accomplish this, a chain harrow will not move material. At least not in a timely manner.

 

[gamble77]

Like To20Chris said KK makes a good spin rake. I have personnaly sold three of them and the customers seem to like them, and they are priced well below $1000. Here is a link to the KK website that has the info on them, just do a a dealer search to find the closest independent or TSC store around u.

http://www.kingkutter.com/WholeGood.asp?item=RotaryHarrows

 

[cowboydoc]

I agree with soundguy. I don't think a regular chain harrow is going to do much to the base. You are right that it won't do much to level out spots either.

 

[gates]

I can say I have been there and done that. I have two arenas that are used and managed on a daily basis. If your base is your footing, than depth is not an issue. For people that have a base than a seperate footing on top in the 2" to 3" depth range, that cannot be mixed, depth of the drag is a serious issue.

 

[creeper]

Everyone I know uses a chain harrow and if you get a lift frame for it you can get the corners better. Mostly roping or western pleasure arenas. ( No Jumps Though)

 

[cowboydoc]

<font color="red">For people that have a base than a seperate footing on top in the 2" to 3" depth range, that cannot be mixed, depth of the drag is a serious issue. </font>

I agree with you gates but I have yet to see a chain harrow that is going to tear up a good compacted clay base. I assume you are talking about something like a reining or dressage base where you have a good mix of clay that is rolled smooth and compacted. Just so we're on the same page you are talking about this.

 

[gates]

Yes were on the same page. The base products we use are stone, cr6 or stone dust, which are compacted then a footing material is placed on top. The final material is dependent on the type of riding, which is a lengthy discussion that does not belong here. The drags and rotary harrows, if not set up precisely, have a tendency to scratch and mix the base into the footing, which is not good. The point is with the Red Master Harrow it is impossible to screw up. It will perfectly level the arena every time, with out disturbing the base, no matter who is on the machine. I have constructed many arenas and own two of my own. Just trying to keep someone from having to reinvent the wheel.

 

[cowboydoc]

<font color="red">stone, cr6 or stone dust </font>

Now we're on the same page. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif That's what I get for assuming. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I agree if you had the above base then no doubt you could tear it up with the chain harrow.

 

[gates]

We have a dressage facility. The footing has to be level and very consistent, once again the harrow is a very important part of the equation. When done with the Red Master Harrow it looks like a sheet of glass. The indoor arena has polymer coated sand in it, therefor absolutely no dust. For other disciplines of riding consistency may not be that important. Sorry to get off track. I guess the correct question was to ask what they want to accomplish! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[owenf]

The arena that we have is an outdoor w/lights, clay leveled compacted base, with 4 inch of sand on top it is 6 inches in some areas but i'm working on that. My wife and I ride western, but being near fair hill, md our barn is full of hunter/jumpers and a few eventers. I found that the rotary harrow did a good job, but the rake on the back just made it a smooth and made it look nice. I have the floating links on the JD 4300, I found it worked best when i made them solid and just took the harrow down to dig 2-3 inches I am pleased with the result, and so are the other riders. Thanks for all the input, it was fun to use the links and look at all the other groomers. Owen.