Home made arena drag?

[kio_d]

I was looking into getting an arena groomer to prep the footing for the horse arena. There are so may types to choose from. I was looking into building my own. Anyone have some ideas?

Derek

 

[LAXPatrick]

Depends somewhat on the material. Our arena is dirt - black dirt with clay. I use a row cultivator to break it up about 4" down and behind that I pull a section of an old spike drag harrow to break up the clods and level it out. Does a great job and it's cheap. I usually make 1 or 2 passes and it's good to go.

If you're talking sand, there are some expensive ones available like the TR3, arena ripper, and more. You could fab a facsimile of one of those.

One of our neighbors has a really nice King Kutter pulverizer - basically it's got two rows of spikes followed by 2 spiked drum rollers. Leaves a great surface.

The really simple approach would be to fashion a drag with spikes on it, but in my case, I needed it to go down deeper.

LAXPatrick

 

[kio_d]

Our ring is a sand/clay mix 80/20. I was thinking of making one out of railroad ties/spikes and maybe chainlink trailing to fluff and level. Not sure on the exact design.

Eventually I'd like to purchase something nicer. I've seen some that have water tanks that prep the ground and spray water to control the dust.

 

[DOUBLEG]

I started with a King Kutter s-tine culitvator and added a small blade onto the back. This works very well grooming the outdoor riding ring we have. I have since painted everything black. The only thing I am thinking of is adding 2 or 3 additional tines to reduce the spacing.

It looks like I may have to use the rototiller once or twice a year. That may be happening soon as the rain we have had has packed the ring.

Gerry

 

[Gizmo36]

I have an old spike drag harrow you could have . If you were not so far off. They work real good.

 

[donais]

i made a drag that looks like an arena-vator wife loves it uses spring tines and has an adjustable blade to set depth and a roller on the back. very happy with how it turned out.. jon

 

[kio_d]

Thanks for the offer Gizmo36 S.C. Is a bit of a haul for me. That Arena-Vator looks pretty simple. Do they sell those spring tines at the tractor supply? An arc welder is the next toy I'm looking into. I have an old disc that I can scavenge the framework.

 

[donais]

i bought the tines from the john deere dealer but i think i saw them when i went to tsc, i also think i saw them at fleet farm when i went to visit my sis in minnesota... jon

 

[donais]

here is my drag just finished it 2 weeks ago real dirty now i have to take it apart and paint or powder coat it

 

[donais]

another

 

[Jimbrown]

I have one made like that. i have two cross ties chained together about 18in apart the first one I drilled holes in and then drove about six of the steel concrete form stakes thru the tie. The stakes act like rippers on the first tie and the second one levels the dirt. A short piece of chain link behind it would probably add to it but I don't have any laying around. Here is a previous thread with some pics of mine. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67871

 

[michael2001]

gizmo...where in sc are you? .....been looking for an old drag harrow.

 

[kubotachief]

I was looking into getting an arena groomer to prep the footing for the horse arena. There are so may types to choose from. I was looking into building my own. Anyone have some ideas?

Derek

I made one that works real good for sand topsoil/clay mix. Go to my website and click on pictures you will see it. www.myersstables.com If you have a stone base under your footing this will not damage it but will do a good job harrowing and leveling the arena. If you have an indoor arena I would shy away from clay or topsoil. It gets very dusty. We use 2/3rds WASHED sand and 1/3 hardwood sawdust and treat it with Magnisium Chloride to keep it moist and dust free. Hope this helps. Glenn

 

[Gizmo36]

Mike I am in Donalds regor66 has PM me for it, but if he don't come and get it you can have it.You are next in line.

 

[regor66]

Had trouble logging in most of the weekend. Anyway, took a trip to Donalds, SC and met Gizmo and his family. First time ever meeting a fellow TBN'er. They are fine country folks and we had a great visit. Hated to leave but my grandson was ready to go. Gizmo, thanks for the harrow and the hospitality. Gonna work on the harrow a little this week and then try to wear it out. Thanks again.

 

[Gizmo36]

You are welcome enjoyed having you all here.come back and see us some times. We will go out and you can play on the 2520 .I would have fire it up but it was to hot.

 

[RonMar]

Almost sounds like a chain or blanket harrow might work for your arena. I like them cause they can be drug points down and forward to dig agressively, down and backward for a less agressive cut and points up for finish smoothing. I have also used them on Gravel over the years(as I do now for my drive). I just bought a new mat(6' X 4') for $220 from Rankin. To this mat you connect a pipe with eyes welded on it and chain to tow it with from the drawbar. I use a boom on the 3PH to lift the whole thing off the ground for turning around and for transport. You can see one like I use at this link under "Blanket Harrows":

http://www.rankineqco.com/pdf/harrows.pdf

I like the look of their lift frame they sell to go along with their Blanket harrows and may build one similar. I use the boom from my PHD to lift mine now which works OK and is already paid for.

I have also made finish/smoothing drags out of a piece of pipe and a section of chain link fence. These work well on a sand/loose arena surface, are simple and inexpensive to make and roll up pretty small around the pipe for easy storage.

 

[kio_d]

Thanks for the great ideas.

 

[Soundguy]

I was looking into getting an arena groomer to prep the footing for the horse arena. There are so may types to choose from. I was looking into building my own. Anyone have some ideas?

Derek

I've seen everything from telephone pole with chain link fence around it.. to old bedframes.

lotsa people use a pasture drag.

really depends ont he areena material.. and the horses you run. if ya got million dollar equines.. one o fthe rotary spendy job$ may be needed.

For weed puller-pasture ornaments like I have.. drag harrow works fine..

Soundguy

 

[Gizmo36]

Years ago old bedframes is what ever one use .And they do work good , Put a little weight and they work better.