A very popular use for the harrow is to maintain riding arenas. The 4" tine creates the ideal depth for a footing base. It is important to note that the harrow doesn't do an ideal job of penetrating through a hard pack of soil. However, when used after a disk/cultivator it does an excellent job breaking up clods, leveling, and maintaining the newly created footing.

Once the arena is broken up, you can keep a constant 4" of footing, unless you stop harrowing for an extended time or a hard rain compacts the arena. When a harrow is pulled in a pasture it only digs in about 1/4" - 1/2", which is perfect for breaking manure, dethatching, and interseeding. However, when soil is loosened, that is where the harrow truly shines.

The most popular "setting" for the harrow in arenas, is to leave the front section in the aggressive mode and the rear section flipped on its back. The front section with the full 4" of the tines breaks up the arena, and the rear section on its back (tines pointing in the air) levels, firms, and dresses up the arena. ALL IN ONE PASS.

All this creates an arena with an excellent footing, and a beautiful look as well!You may add weight to the harrow in order for it to penetrate a little deeper. The most popular item to add is a used truck tire. The tire does a nice job of evenly distributing its weight across the harrow, and can be easily wired to the harrow mat to keep it in place. We have also have people who add railroad ties, logs, concrete blocks, etc. However, it is worth noting that the wear on the tines will be increased when adding weight.

When you have the harrow on a 3-point frame you control the harrow; with a drawbar the harrow controls you. A harrow mounted on a 3-point frame allows you to transport the harrow easily, back up into corners, and gives you the ability to lift up the harrow mat and shake out any material that may collect. Both the drawbar and 3-point harrows do a very similar job, however a frame makes your life MUCH easier. Then again, you can always start out with a drawbar harrow, and get a frame for it at a later date (if needed).

In an arena, it is worth noting that the ability to lift the harrow on a frame keeps the arena from being dragged out, and outside material being dragged into the arena. In order to keep a drawbar harrow from doing this, you will need to lift the harrow out of the arena, or break down the harrow to transport it out of the arena.

 

- Chris Wingfield

©2006