Spreding Sand - newbie needs help!

[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.