Parma Groomer vs. ABI TR3

[Egioja]

So I’m on the hunt for a new-to-me arena groomer. I have an opportunity to buy each of these used and I’m not sure which is the better choice for me! The Parma is 10’, has new tines on it and is every so slightly the cheaper of the 2. I’m not sure of the TR3 width (6.5’ I think), comes with the rail scrapers, and is slightly more expensive than the Parma.

We have 2 arena’s, one indoor (60’x175’) and one outdoor (100’x200’). Both arena’s have a tendency to compact very easily, the outdoor much more so than the indoor.

Footing in the indoor is DG, treated with MAG and is very broken down, so very fine.

Footing in the outdoor is a screened DG/Sand mix, and we have a lot more clay mixed in than is ideal. It can turn into some seriously hard packed footing with virtually no give very quickly if not properly watered and groomed. We do have sprinklers and can keep it watered easily though, which helps. We struggle with getting the footing in the outdoor deep and cushy enough. And the main struggle in the indoor is keeping the depth consistent.

We mostly jump, but we also do dressage, and the owner of the property drives and shows her miniature horses.

Any thoughts as to which drag will help keep the footing loose with some good give to it? I know we may need to add a little more Sand to the outdoor, but until we have a drag that can rip up the compaction adding more isn’t going to help.

TIA!

[tangledweb]

I love my TR3. If your footing was already great I’d probably pick the Parma because it would be so much faster with the extra width. If your footing is hard I’m sure the TR3 will do a better job of it.

[SzIICo]

For sand the tr3 is great, I have the smaller one, arena rascal pro and it’s been great. Unfortunately I’m changing my footing to fiber so I’ve decided to sell my current one and get one that rolls the footing more. Nothing but great things to say about the tr3 though!

[poltroon]

Check that your tractor has enough HP to pull a 10’ groomer. Good luck! I’m jealous … groomers never come up used in my neck of the woods.

[Phoebe]

Got a tr3 for my sand/stone dust ring and while it works great - it did initially pull up the base because we didn’t have the settings on all the various implements set properly - that took a while to get right - my ring isn’t 100% level so that was a challenge. We just used it on the gravel driveway to rip up grass and get that all nice and while it worked great - once again adjusting the settings was extremely time consuming and tedious - worth it in the end but I hope that its only a once a year job

[Simkie]

Those two groomers do require a pretty drastically different tractor–the Parma is 40-60 HP, and the TR3 is 27 HP. Everyone I know with a Parma loves it

[Bluey]

@Simkie

Those two groomers do require a pretty drastically different tractor–the Parma is 40-60 HP, and the TR3 is 27 HP. Everyone I know with a Parma loves it

Are you sure of that?

Our 9’ TR3 with the profiler takes all of our 90hp tractor to pull when fully engaged.

I don’t know about the other one, have not seen one of those around here.

[Simkie]

@Bluey

Are you sure of that?

Our 9’ TR3 with the profiler takes all of our 90hp tractor to pull when fully engaged.

I don’t know about the other one, have not seen one of those around here.

Sure am.

Parma Groomer. “Tractor Requirements: 40-60 Horsepower (HP) Tire width no greater than 114” "

TR3 “Min HP: 27”

There is no 9’ TR3 sold now, but the 8.5’ one takes 48 HP and the 10’ model takes 60+.

Both companies are quite up front with what you need to use their equipment.

[Bluey]

@Simkie

Sure am.

Parma Groomer. “Tractor Requirements: 40-60 Horsepower (HP) Tire width no greater than 114” "

TR3 “Min HP: 27”

There is no 9’ TR3 sold now, but the 8.5’ one takes 48 HP and the 10’ model takes 60+.

Both companies are quite up front with what you need to use their equipment.

Maybe ours is a 10’?
It measures somewhat under that.
We were thinking on one with the water tank on it, but the prices are :eek: , no way.
Those are what most public arenas use, the good ones people like to compete on because of the good cared for footing.

You can’t find any used ones around here at all.

[Egioja]

I think the tractor might end up being the deciding factor for me. The one the barn owns is older, and I’ll need to do some research but I doubt it has the hp required to pull the 10’ parma! With that said, I would love to hear more pros/cons to the TR3!

[SzIICo]

If anyone is looking for the tr3 (smaller one) I am selling mine. Can message for more info:-)

[dressagegirl123]

I’ve owned them both. When I had a sand/rubber arena, I had the TR3. Pulled it with a 30 or 33 HP tractor. it was very good for that arena. When I added fiber, it was a disaster, and I got the Parma instead, which is great for fiber/sand/rubber. Both are good at what they do. I think the TR3 would be better at breaking up compaction. I never found it difficult to change the settings on it. You do want to be careful about hitting the base, but that’s true of any drag. I also used it to drag my gravel driveway, and snowplow in reverse!

[barnmaven]

I love my Parma and all of the different options I have with it. 10ft. is huge!

[dressagegirl123]

I don’t know anyone who has a 10’ wide drag!!! Maybe the big shows, but most people have a 6’ or so…