✓Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com·Updated June 2026
Turf Rake by H Barber and Sons - Image 2 on InfoHorse.com
Turf Rake by H Barber and Sons Turf Rake by H Barber and Sons, rakes, grooms, and, Removes Rocks and Debri from your arena! No one needs their horse to get a sprain or stone bruise from rocks- Turf Rake is the solution!
What Is H Barber and Sons?
H. Barber & Sons, Inc. is a family owned and operated corporation, principally located in Naugatuck, Connecticut, USA.Founder Harold S. Barber first explored the prospects of building machines that clean beaches in the early 1960's. Mr. Barber understood the growing need for this type of equipment and designed the first Barber raking prototype to clean sand beaches.
As H. Barber & Sons, Inc. continued to grow, expansion into other areas of debris collection was a logical progression— and soon they discovered that their TURF RAKEwas the perfect solution to creating a velvet sand surface— free of rocks and debris— for horse riders to enjoy and perform on. Horse Riders from across America can enjoy the years of soft, smooth sand without the real concern and hazard that rocks and debris in your arena can cause. Smooth Sand— It’s Not Just “Convenience”- It’s What Your Horse is Riding On!
We’ve all experienced the irritation, disappointment and frustration of entering an arena, only to find it is littered with rocks, debris, roots and other hazards to your horse’s hooves and well being. If you are running a boarding or training stable, you will find that clients will leave to look for a better solution for your horse. But, even if the property is yours, you know that a misstep can mean anything from a stone bruise to a serious fall or injury.
The TURF RAKE by H Barber & Sons, Offers a Smooth Solution To A Rocky Problem!
Go from the arena no one wants to use— to the arena that is everyone’s favorite! The TURF RAKE Grooms, Rakes and, most importantly Removes all Debri that can hinder your horse’s performance and your enjoyment of your arena. Your clients, boarders or family will love what the TURF RAKE can do for your arenas.
What Does The TURF RAKE Actually Do?
* Removes stone, rock, sod, roots, sticks and similar debris from soil
* Grades rough or scarified soil
* Aerates the soil- leaving a gently harrowed area that is inviting and comfortable to ride on
* Tines penetrate the soil digging down to remove buried stones ensuring thick top layer of stone free soil
Why Use TURF RAKE At Your Arena?
* Who Wants To Spend Hours Picking and Digging out Rocks?NO ONE! The TURF RAKE stone picker can quickly do the work that previously took many men and many hours of hand raking.
* Simplify Mechanical Methods:The TURF RAKE stone picker in ONE Pass removes stone, elevates the debris to a hopper at the rear, levels uneven areas and leaves the surface ready for planting all in one pass.
* Make Riding Fun For Yourself and Clients! If you are running a boarding stable, or training barn, you won’t want to see your clients moving somewhere else. Your smooth arenas can mean money in your pocket as clients seek out your stables for an enhanced riding experience. If you own the property yourself, you will really enjoy being able to ride for hours on a smooth, inviting surface— and your horse will welcome it too!
* Help Ensure the Safety and Well Being Of Your Horses!Few things are more upsetting to a horse owner than hoof or leg injuries and layups. Having a smooth, debris-free arena is going to make a world of difference in savings to help prevent hoof and leg injuries
What Sizes and Models Of TURF RAKE Are Available?
TURF RAKE comes in three sizes/models: the 600HD, 400HD, and 400. We've found most horse arena owners find the 400 to be a good size, but a simple phone call to our friendly staff will help you decide on the right size and model for your operation. We have several models below-- perfect for your horse arena!!!
TURF RAKE Model 400(our most popular size for horse stables!)
The TURF RAKE model 400 is Barber's smallest stone rake. It weighs 1,900 pounds and can lift up to 2,000 pounds in its one (1) cubic yard hopper. Its hydraulic discharge places material neatly on the ground. Within one (1) hour, the model 400 can effectively clean up to two (2) acres. This is very suitable for most moderately sized horse operations. Just give us a call for pricing.
TURF RAKE Model 400 H D
At 2,700 pounds, the 400HD TURF RAKE is H. Barber & Sons' moderate-size stone and rock rake. It is equipped with a two (2) cubic yard hopper that will lift 2,400 pounds of debris to a dumping height of nine (9) feet. This mid-size model uses the same heavy-duty conveyor and dump components as the 600HD. The 400HD can clean up to two (2) acres per hour. Call for pricing.
Make Sure Your Arena Has The H Barber TURF RAKE Today!
Making sure that your arenas are free from debris and rocks isn’t just a matter of convenience, it is your responsibility as a horse property or stable owner or manager! A rocky arena can mean injury to your horse, a fall to the rider, and even lay-up time if the horse is injured. If you are a trainer or boarding stable, it can mean lost clients and even law suit if the horse gets injured. Let TURF RAKE end your rocky nightmare— you’ll love the difference, you’ll enjoy your arena like never before— and so will your horses and clients! H. Barber & Sons Turf Rake offset raking tines lifting stones onto the perforated conveyor belt
How does the Turf Rake clean an arena in a single pass?
The Turf Rake uses a patented tine-and-conveyor raking system that levels footing and pulls out rocks and debris in one pass. Hundreds of offset raking tines penetrate the surface and lift buried stones onto a perforated conveyor belt, while the clean footing falls back through to the arena floor. The stones ride up the conveyor into a hopper for disposal, so the machine extracts hidden hazards rather than simply pushing surface debris around. An optional rear finisher smooths out tire tracks behind the machine for a level, professional grooming result.
Smooth level horse arena footing groomed and de-stoned by the H. Barber & Sons Turf RakeWhat size stones can the Turf Rake pull out, and how deep does it work? The arena-groomer configuration removes stones from roughly 3/8 inch up to 6 inches in diameter, and depth of cut is adjustable from 1 to 6 inches so operators can dial in exactly how aggressively to dig. That adjustable depth lets a manager strip out frost-heaved rock down deep or do a light maintenance grooming pass on established footing. With the right settings the Turf Rake also handles specialty footing blends that include sand, rubber, and fiber. It works fast too, covering up to 3 acres per hour.
H. Barber & Sons Turf Rake removing rocks and debris from a horse riding arena surface
Which Turf Rake model fits your facility?
H. Barber & Sons builds the Turf Rake in three tractor-towed sizes. The 600HD has a 7-foot working width, a 3-cubic-yard hopper, a 9-foot dump height, weighs 3,800 lbs and clears up to 3 acres per hour for large-scale projects. The 400HD offers a 6-foot width, 2-cubic-yard hopper, 9-foot dump height, 2,700 lbs and 2 acres per hour. The Model 400 is the maintenance-oriented unit at 6-foot width, a 1-cubic-yard ground-dump hopper, 1,900 lbs and 2 acres per hour, ideal for smaller arenas and routine upkeep.
H. Barber & Sons Turf Rake picking stones during golf course construction site preparation
Who makes the Turf Rake?
The Turf Rake is built by H. Barber & Sons, Inc., a family-owned and operated corporation located in Naugatuck, Connecticut, USA, manufacturing since 1966. Founder Harold S. Barber designed the company's first machine, the Surf RAKE Model 500 beach cleaner, in the early 1960s, and Barber has since sold more beach cleaners worldwide than any other brand, with equipment running on six continents and in over 90 countries. The second generation of the Barber family now manages the company. The Turf Rake itself grew out of that beach-cleaning heritage when customers discovered how effectively a Barber rake stripped stones out of soil.
Where else does a Turf Rake earn its keep besides the riding arena?
Because it both levels ground and removes debris, the Turf Rake is a true contractor's machine that pays for itself across seasons. Beyond horse arena maintenance, it is used for golf-course construction, sports-field and infield grooming, farm seed-bed preparation, soil refurbishment, water filtration beds, frost-heave management, and even munitions cleanup on military strafing ranges. Optional self-centering casters in the Caster Group let it run on grass, soil, or pavement for litter collection and de-thatching, so the same machine serves multiple jobs year-round.
How do you buy a Turf Rake or get specs for your arena?
Reach H. Barber & Sons directly to discuss which model and depth settings suit your footing. Call + or; the team is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 EST. A downloadable Turf Rake brochure and full design specifications are available on hbarber.com, and an optional Finisher Assembly that auto-raises and lowers via PTO can be added for show-ready grooming.
The TURF RAKE is a stone picker that rakes, grooms, and removes rocks and debris from your horse arena in a single pass. It pulls out stone, rock, sod, roots, sticks, and similar debris from the soil, grades rough or scarified ground, and aerates the surface to leave a gently harrowed area that is comfortable to ride on. Its tines penetrate the soil and dig down to lift out buried stones, ensuring a thick top layer of stone-free footing.
Why does removing rocks from my arena matter for my horse?
Rocks, roots, and debris in an arena are real hazards to a horse's hooves and well-being, and a misstep can mean anything from a stone bruise to a serious fall or injury. A smooth, debris-free surface helps prevent hoof and leg injuries and the costly lay-up time that comes with them. For boarding and training stables, it also protects your business, since clients will leave to find better footing for their horses if your arena is littered with rocks.
How does the Turf Rake clean an arena in one pass?
In a single pass, the TURF RAKE removes stone, elevates the debris up to a hopper at the rear, levels uneven areas, and leaves the surface ready. This replaces the hours of hand-raking that previously took many men to do the same job. The result is a velvet sand surface, free of rocks and debris, that horse riders can enjoy and perform on.
What sizes and models of Turf Rake are available?
The TURF RAKE comes in three sizes and models: the 600HD, the 400HD, and the 400. H. Barber & Sons reports that most horse arena owners find the 400 to be a good size, but a phone call to their staff will help you decide on the right size and model for your operation. The 400HD uses the same heavy-duty conveyor and dump components as the 600HD.
What can the Turf Rake Model 400 handle?
The Model 400 is Barber's smallest stone rake and the most popular size for horse stables. It weighs 1,900 pounds and can lift up to 2,000 pounds in its one cubic yard hopper, with a hydraulic discharge that places the material neatly on the ground. Within one hour, the Model 400 can effectively clean up to two acres, which is very suitable for most moderately sized horse operations.
How is the Turf Rake Model 400HD different from the 400?
The 400HD is the moderate-size stone and rock rake at 2,700 pounds. It is equipped with a two cubic yard hopper that will lift 2,400 pounds of debris to a dumping height of nine feet, and it uses the same heavy-duty conveyor and dump components as the 600HD. Like the 400, it can clean up to two acres per hour.
Who is H. Barber & Sons?
H. Barber & Sons, Inc. is a family owned and operated corporation principally located in Naugatuck, Connecticut, USA. Founder Harold S. Barber first explored building machines to clean sand beaches in the early 1960s, and as the company grew it expanded into other areas of debris collection. They found that the TURF RAKE was the perfect solution for creating a velvet sand surface, free of rocks and debris, for horse riders.
How do I find out pricing or get the right Turf Rake for my arena?
Pricing comes by phone, so a simple call to their friendly staff will help you choose the right size and model and get a quote for your operation. You can reach H. Barber & Sons at 800-355-8318 or 203-729-9000, email [email protected], or visit https://www.hbarber.com/stone-picker/turf-rake/stone-picking-applications/horse-arena-groomer/.
What is the Turf Rake by H. Barber & Sons?
The Turf Rake is a premium, tractor-towed horse arena groomer and stone picker that levels footing and removes rocks, pebbles, and debris in a single pass. It uses a patented tine-and-conveyor raking system to lift buried stones out of the surface while returning clean footing material to the arena floor. It is built by H. Barber & Sons, Inc. of Naugatuck, Connecticut.
How does the Turf Rake remove stones from arena footing?
Hundreds of offset raking tines penetrate the footing and scoop up stones, depositing them onto a perforated conveyor belt. The clean footing falls back through the perforations to the arena floor, while the stones travel up the conveyor and into a hopper for disposal. This lets the machine pull out hidden, buried rocks rather than just pushing surface debris around.
What size stones can the Turf Rake pick up?
In its horse-arena configuration the Turf Rake removes stones ranging from roughly 3/8 inch up to 6 inches in diameter. The tine-and-conveyor system is engineered to separate this range of debris from the footing while leaving the good material behind. That removes the sprain and stone-bruise hazards a horse can pick up from rocks in the footing.
How deep does the Turf Rake work?
Working depth is adjustable from 1 to 6 inches. A shallow setting is ideal for routine maintenance grooming of established footing, while a deeper cut lets you strip out frost-heaved rock and refurbish a neglected surface. Operators dial in the depth to match the job and footing condition.
How fast can the Turf Rake groom an arena?
The Turf Rake can cover up to 3 acres per hour depending on the model and conditions. This makes it practical for large boarding facilities, training centers, and multi-arena operations that need to groom quickly between sessions. The speed also makes it economical for contractors who service multiple sites.
What models of the Turf Rake are available?
H. Barber & Sons offers three tractor-towed models: the 600HD (7-foot width, 3-cubic-yard hopper, 9-foot dump height, 3,800 lbs, up to 3 acres/hour), the 400HD (6-foot width, 2-cubic-yard hopper, 9-foot dump height, 2,700 lbs, 2 acres/hour), and the Model 400 (6-foot width, 1-cubic-yard ground-dump hopper, 1,900 lbs, 2 acres/hour). The HD models suit large-scale projects while the 400 is geared toward maintenance and smaller areas.
How is the Turf Rake mounted and powered?
The Turf Rake is a tractor-towed implement powered by the tractor's power take-off (PTO), which the operator activates from the cab. The HD models feature a hydraulic hopper that discharges and dumps collected stones at a 9-foot height, while the Model 400 uses a ground-level dump hopper. This makes it compatible with standard farm and utility tractors.
Can the Turf Rake be used on synthetic or specialty footing?
Yes. With the proper depth and settings the Turf Rake can be used on specialty footing blends that incorporate sand, rubber, and fiber. The adjustable depth control helps protect engineered footing while still removing unwanted stones and debris. Barber recommends contacting them to confirm the right settings for your specific footing mix.
What is the optional Finisher Assembly?
The Finisher Assembly is a rear-mounted grooming tool that smooths out the tire tracks left behind the machine, producing a level, professional, show-ready surface. It automatically lowers and raises in sync with PTO activation, so it engages and disengages without separate controls. It is the attachment that turns a stone-picking pass into a finished grooming pass.
What is the Caster Group option?
The Caster Group adds self-centering casters that let the Turf Rake run on grass, soil, or pavement. This expands the machine's use into litter collection and de-thatching beyond arena work. It is part of what makes the Turf Rake a year-round, multi-purpose machine rather than a single-season tool.
Who makes the Turf Rake?
The Turf Rake is made by H. Barber & Sons, Inc., a family-owned and operated corporation located in Naugatuck, Connecticut, USA. The company has manufactured outdoor cleaning equipment since 1966. It is now run by the second generation of the Barber family.
Who founded H. Barber & Sons?
The company was founded by Harold S. Barber, who began exploring beach-cleaning machines in the early 1960s. He designed the company's first machine, the SURF RAKE Model 500 beach cleaner, which became the most effective tool for the emerging beach-cleaning industry. The Turf Rake later grew out of that same raking technology when customers found it excelled at pulling stones from soil.
How experienced is H. Barber & Sons as a manufacturer?
H. Barber & Sons has been building raking and cleaning equipment since 1966, more than 60 years. The company has sold more beach cleaners worldwide than any other brand, with equipment in use on six continents and in over 90 countries. That global manufacturing track record stands behind every Turf Rake.
Besides horse arenas, what else is the Turf Rake used for?
The Turf Rake is used for golf-course construction, sports-field and infield grooming, farm seed-bed preparation, soil refurbishment, water filtration beds, frost-heave management, and even munitions cleanup on military strafing ranges. Because it both levels ground and removes debris, it serves contractors across many seasons and job types. The same machine that grooms an arena can prep a field or build a fairway.
Why should I remove stones from my riding arena?
Rocks and pebbles in arena footing can cause a horse to suffer a sprain or a stone bruise, and they make the footing uneven and unsafe. The Turf Rake removes those hazards by extracting buried stones rather than just leveling the surface. Regular grooming with the machine keeps footing consistent, level, and safe for horse and rider.
How do I buy a Turf Rake or request specifications?
Contact H. Barber & Sons directly by phone at +1 203 729 9000 or by email at [email protected]. The team is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 EST, to help you choose the right model and settings for your facility. A downloadable Turf Rake brochure and full design specifications are available on hbarber.com.
How do I contact H. Barber & Sons?
You can reach H. Barber & Sons, Inc. at +1 203 729 9000 or [email protected], Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 18:00 EST. The company is headquartered in Naugatuck, Connecticut, USA. They are also active on YouTube (BeachCleaners01), Facebook, and LinkedIn.
