Buying an arena groomer: Red Master, EZ groomer, or Parma?

[Watermark_Farm]

Just replaced my footing and have sand, rubber and geotextile. I need a new arena drag that’s made for these additives. I’m looking at Red Master, EZ Groomer, and Parma.

Need some input…

I want a groomer that can be used by less skilled people and is sort of “safe” and can’t accidently dig into the base.

I want one that uses a hitch attachment versus the 3 point on my tractor. I use a box scraper often and can’t hassle with switching implements.

I am confused about the float leveling pan and the open roller thing. Do I need both? One levels and one breaks up clumps, right?

There is a big price difference between EZ Groomer and Red Master. Why?

[AmarachAcres]

Hoping someone answers you, we are also in a search for a groomer. Leaning towards the EZ Groomer.

We’ve also heard of the Jake Rake, does anyone have experience with that?

[Graymaresrule]

I have a Parma groomer that I got from SmartPak on one of their 10% off sales. It works much better than the tiller we used to use. Premier Equestrian sells a GGT groomer that looks similar and might be cheaper depending on shipping.

[LAZ]

I have a ParmaGroomer and have been very happy with it. I use mine on the 3 point hitch, however.

[Watermark_Farm]

Anyone else?

[tuppysmom]

We have had a Parma Groomer for quite a while. It does a good job and you can change out the teeth when they wear down. It is a 3 pt though.

[AdAblurr02]

We used Parma for quite a while (Mr. AdAblurr builds arenas, and he uses up about one a year) and are now running the EZ Groomer. The manufacturer is closer to us, shipping is less, and product support is EXCELLENT - plus price is so right, less than the Parma. The LAST Parma we ordered (from factory in Idaho) came with several parts missing that had to be ordered before we could assemble and use - and you HAVE to assemble. Our 3-point EZ Groomers arrive already put together. On the ATV model, you need only put on the tongue to go to work.
We have used Red Master, as he’s taken a few in trade over the years - Hate it. HEAVY, hard to hitch for me by myself, and at twice the price new, no redeeming additional good stuff. The float blade does NOT lay down the footing behind the tillage tines nearly as well as the roller (assuming a felt footing here) and I was just not that impressed. The GGT groomer is a complex hodgepodge of ideas gathered from numerous other designs, and it’s NOT less costly. Simple is better, for me.

[Watermark_Farm]

Thank you so much AdAblur02!! That is the kind of info I needed! I had ruled out Parma and was debating between Red Master and EZ Groomer. Really appreciate your input from a perspective of someone with a lot of arena dragging experience (or your husband). Thanks!

[BrookdaleBay]

Where I work we have a Parma and I find it very easy to use. Its a single point hitch and we tow it behind a Polaris ATV, so its light. It has a float level and an open roller, as well as a crank that lets you raise and lower the teeth. We put a strip of duct tape to mark the perfect place where the base doesn’t get hit, while also fluffing up the footing. Our indoor and outdoor both have sand and cotton fiber footing.

[Will1990]

Have you ever seen the arena werks drag? The drag itself is a 3 pt attachment, but they also sell a buggy that hooks up to your receiver and the drag hooks to the 3 pt on the buggy. It can be used with a tractor or an atv. I think it would be worth checking into.