Spreding Sand - newbie needs help!

[TheMan419]

Ok so total newbie question.....

We are in the process of building a barn and indoor riding arena. The indoor will need about 3 inches of sand spread evenly over top for good footing.

This is what the box blade is for right?

 

[Gary Fowler]

A box blade would work, but a land plane would be better at getting a mow level surface. For a newbie, a box blade isn't that easy to use especially without gauge wheels on the rear (a home made attachment that I don't think you can buy with a box blade)

 

[jeff9366]

If you can afford a specialty implement for spreading three inches of sand I would go for a Landscape Rake, preferably with gauge wheels, which has a sieve effect, which will level the surface with much less operator experience than a Box Blade. Later, a Landscape Rake will sieve out horse apples if the sand is dry.

VIDEO: landscape rake tractor - YouTube


The premier tool for horse arena maintenance is a $5,000 ABI TR3 Rake.

VIDEO: tr3 rake - YouTube

 

[jenkinsph]

I would recommend a 5' landscape rake for your tractor. While a small land plane grader scraper might be ideal for the initial spreading the landscape rake will be more useful long term for clean up.

 

[powerscol]

I have used my box blade to do something similar by mounting spacers to the side skids. I then placed small piles in line and pulled through it. The ruts left by the spacers I just raked in. I did this to place gravel on my drive evenly. For 3 inches you could use 2x4 on edge. Taper ends so they dont dig in. In my case there were holes in the box sides so I was able to bolt the spacer boards on. On trick is not to try and move too much, otherwise the box blade will float up.

The only other way I know is to lay out a grid of lath or hubs, mark the 3 inches and use the bucket to pile and back drag. A lot of work that way, but you can adjust grade if needed.

Hope this helps.

 

[TheMan419]

I would recommend a 5' landscape rake for your tractor. While a small land plane grader scraper might be ideal for the initial spreading the landscape rake will be more useful long term for clean up.

Ok silly question, would the rake be useful for grooming the arena? I was thinking rotary harrow for that.

 

[TheMan419]

Duplicate post.

 

[jeff9366]

I have owned a King Kutter Rotary Harrow.

In my estimation a Landscape Rake would be superior for arena grooming because of its ability to sieve and collect detritus. Rotary Harrows do not collect, they only texture.

You need to purchase a Landscape Rake wide enough so when used on an angle it will still cover your tire tracks. Usually, this is a Landscape Rake around 12" wider than outside-to-outside tire width. If rake is wider than your tire width, used straight, you can rake near walls and rail fence. For this reason you may want a rake 18" to 24" wider than your tires.

I suggest you start a complementary thread in the ATTACHMENTS forum with a title such as MINIMUM IMPLEMENTS NECESSARY FOR HORSE ARENA MAINTENANCE. This thread is too narrowly focused for a newbie. Current title does not attract horse arena owners.

((I have never used my tractor nor implements to maintain a horse arena.))

No questions are silly here. Ask away.

 

[holeycow]

It's for horses. It doesn't need to be levelled perfectly. The horses will move it all around anyway It will need routine maintenance. A small trailing offset disc and some harrows will finish level and maintain it after you more or less level it with your loader. Not science rockets.

You might even get away with just some chain harrows and your bucket.

 

[TheMan419]

It's for horses. It doesn't need to be levelled perfectly. The horses will move it all around anyway It will need routine maintenance. A small trailing offset disc and some harrows will finish level and maintain it after you more or less level it with your loader. Not science rockets.

You might even get away with just some chain harrows and your bucket.

Correct it does not need perfect leveling. The "pad" was leveled by the excavator. The barn is being built this week and this will be indoors. I am just looking at how to get er done.

I have maintained an already established arena. Meaning the sand was there and just needed to be groomed. Have used rotary harrow and chain harrow for this purpose. Rotary harrow was much better at it. The chain harrow did not "dig" deep enough thus allowing too much compaction. The rotary harrow had deeper tines to break things up better.

Unlike the pics Jeff posted the one I have used in the past had three disks side by side. Easier to get into corners with.

 

[jenkinsph]

Ok silly question, would the rake be useful for grooming the arena? I was thinking rotary harrow for that.

I think it would be good for 3 inches of sand. Last one I built had six inches of sand and if you go too deep you will start pulling up base material into your sand.

 

[jeff9366]

I have maintained an already established arena.

Have used rotary harrow and chain harrow for this purpose. Rotary harrow was much better at it. The chain harrow did not "dig" deep enough thus allowing too much compaction. The rotary harrow had deeper tines to break things up better.

Your experience should be paramount. You know your exact conditions and objectives, we do not.

The weight of a Landscape Rake will partially determine how deep the tines penetrate. If you want deeper penetration remove 1/2, 1/3, or 1/4 tines to reduce float on the remainder.

Lots of Landscape Rakes have been reviewed here. ETA produces one of the best.


Landscape Rake | York Rake For Compact and Full Size Tractors

 

[TheMan419]

I think it would be good for 3 inches of sand. Last one I built had six inches of sand and if you go too deep you will start pulling up base material into your sand.

6 inches more for jumpers or maybe reiners. Dressage people don't like as much depth.

 

[jenkinsph]

6 inches more for jumpers or maybe reiners. Dressage people don't like as much depth.

I get that^^^^^

But you want to make sure you stay out of the base below the sand. Deep running tools can mix the sand with the base if not careful.

 

[TheMan419]

I get that^^^^^

But you want to make sure you stay out of the base below the sand. Deep running tools can mix the sand with the base if not careful.

Yep I am down with that as the kids would say.

 

[dickfoster]

Why not just use the loader and back drag it? Since it doesn't have to be perfectly level you'd think you could get by with just the front loader to spread the sand. Use some pressure on it at first then float it out to get it nice and even. Might take a little while but for a one time job it would beat buying a special implement to just set around after. To maintain it a simple homemade drag would likely do the trick.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I'd think an angled landscape rake with all the tines in and guide wheels to keep you out of the base would be a good solution.

 

[bigtiller]

If you have a tooth-bar on your loader bucket, just use it. Dump a bucket of sand where you want it, drive forward a foot or two, set the teeth tips on the ground with the loader in float and back up. That would give you about 3 inches.

 

[BigBoyToys]

I vote for the Landscape Rake with Guide Wheels!
The guide wheels are key to getting a nice uniform spread. I used the bucket to initially move and spread it out. Back dragging in float mode works good but the final grading is done with the rake. I initially made one to spread out 120 yards of loam and it did a great job. You'll get a lot of use out of it!!! Great implement to have around.

 

[TheMan419]

Why not just use the loader and back drag it? Since it doesn't have to be perfectly level you'd think you could get by with just the front loader to spread the sand. Use some pressure on it at first then float it out to get it nice and even. Might take a little while but for a one time job it would beat buying a special implement to just set around after. To maintain it a simple homemade drag would likely do the trick.

Yeah I am starting to think that is the way to go. That and either a chain harrow or rotary harrow both of which would be useful for on going maintenance.