Best menage leveller for flexi-ride arena?

[algeredge]

As the title really, we have just installed a 20x40m silica sand arena with 2" flexi ride on top. I'm struggling to find a leveller that it not too expensice that will do a good job and we're even considering making one (somehow??) I've spoken to a few companies who seem to recommend one with a roller on the back but these are about £2k! Any ideas would be gratefully received x

 

[martlin]

Yep, spring tyne and roller... You could make yourself I reckon, though.

 

[algeredge]

Yep, spring tyne and roller... You could make yourself I reckon, though.

Thanks Martlin. I seem to remember you use flexi-ride from when I researched surfaces. Which leveller did you go for?

 

[martlin]

I haven't actually put the Flexi Ride down, I have sand only at the moment (long story).
I use normal chain harrows with a round pole behind.

 

[MillionDollar]

Make sure you get or make a decent leveller............I nearly ruined my surface by using chain harrows for a few months. Then we got a Logic Pro Grader and my god did it make a HUGE difference. Yes it was £1,600 (or there abouts) but it was worth every penny

 

[DuckToller]

I'm not sure what flexi ride is - can you describe it?

We have silica sand with the plastic granules that are recycled from wire casings. We use a metal farm gate which is heavy and wide, and drag it round behind the 4 wd - works a treat but not sure it would work for your surface? We do dig out the sides occasionally as the gate doesn't do that bit very well.

 

[algeredge]

Flexi-ride is basically recycled car interior so it is small squares of carpet and sponge. I think it is meant to sit on top of the sand, so although I know it will mix in a bit with the sand, a gate type of leveller would just scrape it off. I think there will eventually be a problem with it compacting down with use, so i think i need a leveller with tithes (is that what they're called?? prong-like things) to fluff it up again. Does that make sense??

 

[loopylucifer]

we have the flexi ride surface (have had for about a year) and absoultle love it. but it is a nightmare to harrow! we have a gate leveller, chain harrow and arena mate harrow/leveller. The gate rubbish as scrapes surface off, chain harrow just gets bunged up with the carpet/rubber. The best one is the arena mate on a tractor but you have to have it quite high so just touching the top which fluffs the top up, if you have it too high it just plows the surface and cloggs up! On the plus we use ours loads but it only needs harrowing once or twice a week.