REGULAR MAINTENANCE
Wood fibre arenas will need to be dragged regularly in order to keep the tabletop smooth surface and level footing for which Cushionride is noted.
UK CUSHION LTD often gets asked for ‘what is the best way of levelling our new, Cushionride arena?’. Therefore have developed, over the last five years, a maintenance device: ‘Smooth Operator’.
The ‘SMOOTH OPERATOR’ is ideal wood fibre maintenance. It will float on top of the surface, re-aligning and compacting the wood fibres. After a couple of passes, the surface will be left tabletop smooth. The drag will never dig up your arena base and a 20m x 40m ménage can be smoothed perfectly in approximately 30 minutes. The leveller is made from 5mm chain link and is rectangular, 1.8m x 2.2m (6ft x 7.2ft), all zinc plated and attached to a 3m (10ft) tow chain, suitable for any tow vehicle or horse!
Features:
- The ‘SMOOTH OPERATOR’ is very strong and yet light enough to move easily. It is fitted with a horse shoe, towing point, for the easy of use. It can be pulled by Quad, Atv, Tractor or Sit on Lawnmower. You will need to find an optimum travelling speed to obtain the best results. Don’t be shy to use the accelerator.
- The ‘SMOOTH OPERATOR’ tow chains can be offset to allow for an overhang on either the left or right side, to reach further into the corners of the arena.
- The ‘SMOOTH OPERATOR’ also comes with a removable angled plate, which will collect banked wood fibre, against the retaining boards. The plate can be fixed to either the left or right side.
UK CUSHION LTD recommends that it is good practise to regularly drag, grid and re-level Cushionride.
It should be noted that Cushionride requires approximately 1-2 months to start ‘knitting’ together after installation. Intensive use demonstrations on a newly built arena during this period are not recommended.
Smooth Operator is very strong and yet light enough to move easily. It is fitted with a horse shoe,towing point, for the easy of use. It can be pulled by Quad, Atv, Tractor or Sit on Lawnmower. You will need to find an optimum travelling speed to obtain the best results. Don't be shy to use the accelerator.
WATERING YOUR ARENA
In order for Cushionride to perform at its best, the surface should be damp. The wood fibre remains flexible when wet, allowing for a more resilient, low-dust and cushioning surface.
In our experience, indoor arena surfaces should be watered, on average, every six weeks. Outdoors, we would strongly recommend that if the surface is laid during warm, dry conditions, it should have a good drenching to help with the binding and maturing of the Cushionride surface. After this, in the majority of cases, nature will provide sufficient watering.
TOPPING UP
There is no surface that is maintenance free and with Cushionride, a top up will be required, on average, after three to four years. This will depend on:
- The type of construction of the arena.
- The quantity of Cushionride originally laid.
- The frequency of use.
Normal indications that your Cushionride arena needs topping up are:
Surface is starting to become soft.
Surface has lost its tightly-knitted quality and loosens up easily.
If you require any technical help, please contact Mr Nigel Clark on 01923 463333.
