Automatic waterers

Zach Scherf · Feb 11, 2014

Heated automatic waterers for cows. What brands everyone like? Anyone come up with a homemade solution for easily watering stock in this cold?

danofarming · Feb 11, 2014

I installed a ritchie watermatic in the Bull lot just before the cold hit here in TN. I think that I am going to like, it has not frozen yet! I asked this question in a previous thread on this subject, there was a lot of good discussion

farmerwithmutt · Feb 11, 2014

i got ritchie i would have an outlet put inside so you can put a small bulb or heater in

paul · Feb 11, 2014

Cobett, made in Iowa, good people. No electricity needed, it might skin over a 1/2 or inch of ice when it was 15 below last night and the cattle didnt drink all night in the wind, but the valve and pipe is below the water basket no harm done, bust the ice open these few days once a day, and good to go.

I got the thing for free if you consider te savings in electricity over the last decade.....

It uses an insulated tube to below frost line to keep 50 degree air on the bottom of the water basket where the valve is.

Paul
Cobett

Hay hay hay · Feb 11, 2014

I have Bahlen post waterers for horses. 6 years old, They are electric. I have 5, all electric, none frozen yet, even at -5F. Hope I don't get to test it for lower temps. Inexpensive but may not hold up to cows.They make other models.

RLH22 · Feb 11, 2014

Ive had a jug for 15 yr with no problems c/c ind

gwece · Feb 11, 2014

I've had a Mirafount 2 hole non-electirc in use for 6 or 7 years here in southern Illinois. It has been great. I've probably had 6 or 8 times total (3 times this year) when i've had to take a gallon of hot water and pour over the balls to thaw them out because it was COLD(5 or 6 below zero)& windy overnite. Cows will stand over the drink hole and slober water on the balls and they will glaze over. Or, most of the time it is just because of a lot of freezing rain overnite that will glaze the balls over. I have never had any problem with the water freezing inside of the tank. I normally have 50 or so cows and calves using the waterer.

Big Fat Herb · Feb 11, 2014

Cobett for sure .They are trouble free check them once a day pop a skim of ice out as long as you have water no problem will work on a pond or pressure system as well. Good people to deal with.

Eldo case · Feb 11, 2014

Have a http://www.franklinwaterers.com/ for around 8 - 10 years only had a thermostat go bad this year. Simple fix. Had power and no element working out of two had to be thermostat. No freezing before this.

rrlund · Feb 11, 2014

I've got the "energy free" ball type. Never had a valve freeze even this year. The balls freeze though. I have to kick them loose when it's real cold. You just have to be sure to use the Styrofoam tunnel to bring the heat up from the ground when you install them.

Bobl1958 · Feb 11, 2014

No doubt there are probably several good ones. Certainly Ritchie is as good as any. I have some that have been in for 17 years. Only ever replaced one of the shutoffs, otherwise never had a problem. I do have a light bulb wired in on the insides just for safety sake. I have never had one freeze up here in Kansas yet. Might not without the bulb either, just hate to take a chance. I use the rough service bulbs and shut them off every year when it starts to warm up. Bob

donjr · Feb 11, 2014

I have two Behlen four hole waterers. If I keep the balls clear of ice, they work pretty good- as long as the cows use them fairly often. They slobber on the balls as the pull their muzzles out, and the ice can freeze around the lips so the balls don't completely seal. It has to be kept clear of that buildup. Otherwise, they work well without any other heat source.

Whichester1 · Feb 11, 2014

Only have experience with one brand, Ritche. Best thing we ever bought. Ours is made of metal, new ones are made of plastic but look good.

I would not install one until spring unless your plumbing is already in place. Frozen ground is a nightmare.

Kerry50 · Feb 11, 2014

Electric Ritchie, set the thermostat and walk away from it. I have 2 and they haven't froze, yet. No balls to freeze up.

1130Leo · Feb 11, 2014

I add another vote for Ritchie waterers, I have 4 of them, two singles, two doubles, best thing I have ever installed. No freeze ups, even in -20 to -35 windchill temps, -10 to -20 without windchill.

10jon66 · Feb 13, 2014

JUG waterers are the king I have 3 two holers never any problems very energy efficient. I took out my ritchies several years ago and sold em for scrap.

bison · Feb 13, 2014

I've tried them all. They all work fine when new till there is a problem.
Usually in winter, in summer there's hardly a problem.
Power outage.
froze up.
Junk build up under or around the float keeping the valve either open or shut
Cows shat in them, need to check daily.

The frost free ones are the biggest PITA.
They either full of manure or they're froze up.
Me hates them.

Automatic waterers

Zach Scherf

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danofarming

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farmerwithmutt

Well-known Member

paul

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Hay hay hay

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RLH22

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gwece

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Big Fat Herb

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Eldo case

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rrlund

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Bobl1958

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donjr

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Whichester1

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Kerry50

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1130Leo

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10jon66

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bison

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