My son in law recently put an arena in my front pasture. Laser leveled, compacted and footing. So now how to maintain it. I’ve been trying to figure out which arena groomer is the best and have found the different types and options to be a bit confusing. From TR3, Riata, Parma, Drag N Fly, Black widow, Milcreek. and EZ groomer. All seem to be very different in their design and it’s hard to figure out which is the best for our situation. TR3 interests me because the classic can also be used on the driveway. But that is not an essential feature. Milcreek is so different from everyone else it becomes like comparing apples and rutabagas. Any experience or stories people have on the different types would be great. Thanks
Bump Really no on has an arena groomer they love/hate or have any opinion on?
We have a TR3 that we have used for close to 20 years with good results. We use it on our outdoor which has a stone dust base that was installed, lasered and rolled with ~3" of sand footing on top. The TR3 is handy for maintaining our gravel driveway which can get washed out from time to time. We also use the TR3 to maintain our sacrifice paddocks. It is a very versatile piece of equipment.
We also have a Multigroomer that we use for our indoor. Our indoor has all weather footing installed over a stone dust base. We don’t use the TR3 on the indoor because it would be too aggressive.
Both groomers are good for our purposes. I would highly recommend having an extra set of teeth on hand. You’ll be surprised how quickly they wear and it nice to have an extra set on hand.
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We used a rotary groomer, but it made the footing too deep. Just fluffing the top as lightly as possible still created deep footing. Switched to a chain harrow and now the footing is perfect.
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You can just get a drag harrow from TSC.
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Thanks for the input I’m leaning towards the TR3. I like that it can do more than the arena as our driveway gets washed out a lot these days.
We have a TR3 and taking the chisel points out keeps it from being too aggressive.
We have them there, but high as they go and they don’t dig in at all.
Our model is the newer one with the profiler blade and maybe that is why it works so well in our covered arena.
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We have an Arena Rascal and LOVE it. It hooks behind a 4-wheeler and does an excellent job. Right now, we are looking for a much larger grooming tool for our new ring. One that can hook to the tractor. I see you are in Virginia. You are welcome to borrow our Rascal and get a feel for it. I don’t think we want to sell it because we’ll use it for the Dressage ring to keep it level, but it’s just sitting here not being used right now.
Well I talked to abi equipment and we are getting the TR3-E It is a bit more tailored for equestrian use than the TR3 with a profile blade and grooming rods included plus the finish rake can be pivoted for less than the base TR3 classic. It’s not has heavy (finishing rake is half inch steel vs three quarters, air filled tires vs foam, scarcifiers max depth of 4.75" vs 7 "… ) but other than being able to be used in reverse to cut thought the ground (TR3-E can push in reverse but it must be loosened up first because of the pivoting finish rake) it can do every thing a TR3 can. It should be coming in the next day or two so we will see. We have 30 days to determine if we made the right choice.
Well I talked to abi equipment and we are getting the TR3-E It is a bit more tailored for equestrian use than the TR3 with a profile blade and grooming rods included plus the finish rake can be pivoted for less than the base TR3 classic. It’s not has heavy (finishing rake is half inch steel vs three quarters, air filled tires vs foam, scarcifiers max depth of 4.75" vs 7 "… ) but other than being able to be used in reverse to cut thought the ground (TR3-E can push in reverse but it must be loosened up first because of the pivoting finish rake) it can do every thing a TR3 can. It should be coming in the next day or two so we will see. We have 30 days to determine if we made the right choice.
Paks, how did you like your TR3-E groomer? I have a stone dust arena that has become compacted, and the simple drag I have does not cut in enough. I too a looking at the TR3-E.
I love mine it both firms the base and fluffs the top at the same time. Tons of adjustments available. The videos on line are excellent to learn how to do that. Also they have great advice on different patterns to do when dragging. I prefer the overlapping circles. It’s especially good if you haven’t touch it in a while.
The only downside is you do become a bit of a footing snob, knowing your TR-3e could have done a better job that the standard drag most arena’s use. It’s definitely worth the money. and it can do a lot of other tasks around the farm.
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Thanks for replying! Good to hear!!
