Being in business for 90 years has allowed us to hear and understand what customers and other watering companies are saying about automatic waterers. Below is a collection of the most popular automatic waterer myths and truths of 2011.
Myth – Electric heated waterers are unsafe and can cause your animal harm.
Truth – Electricity and automatic waterers have been combined much longer than any unheated unit has been on the market. With modern regulations, each waterer put on the market that is CE, UL, CSA rated must meet a very high standard of safety. Installing the waterer to the manufactures recommendations, including installing a ground rod under the unit, will help increase the safety of the unit and eliminate the chances of stray voltage carrying over to the unit. Electric heated waterers have been and continue to be the most popular choice among automatic waterer owners especially in areas that have severe winters. Thousands of these waterers are sold every year with no incidents.
Myth – Electrically heated units are expensive to run during the winter
Truth – With modern day technology, insulated automatic waterers can run throughout the winter for pennies a day. They are fully insulated and efficient at the same time giving you the peace of mind that your waterers are open on the coldest days. The newest combination plastic/steel trough waterers will run in the most severe climates for under $20 for the entire season
Myth – If a large animal, cattle or horse for instance, kicks an automatic waterer that features a float and valve system, the valve will stick causing it to stay open and flood the area around it.
Truth – This is completely false. The float and valve system is the most popular among automatic waterers. This system is safely housed inside the automatic waterer protecting it from the impact that kicking and rubbing may cause. The float and valve system was developed and patented in 1921 which set the standard of waterering from that point on. This system could not have sustained 90 years of top market performance if it failed each time an animal kicked the unit.
Myth – Paddle type, energy free automatic waterers do not freeze.
Truth -The design of these units allows water to drain as and after the animals drink. However, if any debris/feed etc gets into the bowl, it will plug the hole where the water drains out. This will cause it to freeze and/or over run.
When doing research for an automatic waterer be sure to consider what will work best for you and what has proven to have continued reliability. Ritchie Industries has been providing reliable and durable automatic waterers for 90 years. For more information on Ritchie Waterers, please visit http://www.RitchieFount.com.
Today I came across an article from Drovers called “Extreme weather dominates Central Plains”. Click here for the article.Flooding in the north and drought in the south. This reminded me of a question that we often receive at shows that we attend in the south where the benefits of a heated waterer generally are not needed. “Why would I need your waterer if I can just fill up a stock tank?”
This is a very valid question. My response…low water waste, especially if you live in a drought affected area. Over the past several years, it seems as if drought has been a continuous concern in the south. Dumping 50-100 gallons of water to clean a stock tank can make one stop and think about wasting all of that water during the dry season.
Ritchie carries close to 40 units, while some are quite large, often times, the smaller units will satisfy the needs of your animals as they refill as the animals are drinking. The water capacity in these troughs, 2-6.5 gallons of water, is all you will be removing when cleaning the tank. Another benefit of the low capacity automatic waterers is that the incoming water is fresh and cool, instead of stagnant.
To go a step further, a covered waterer will help reduce the amount of water taken due to evaporation. We carry two covered units, the heated EcoFount series and the heat optional Thrifty King series.
So, if you live in an area that has been dealing with drought, the automatic waterer may benefit you, besides saving you time in having to refill your stock tank, much more than previously thought.
Will you be attending the Downunder Horsemanship Walkabout Tour in Lexington, VA March 26-27, 2011? Enter for your chance to win an EcoFount 1 ideal for small herds and horses. The entry box will be located at the Ritchie booth next to Clinton Anderson’s autograph area. Winner will be announced during the tour event.
Features of the EcoFount 1
*Provides excellent overall heat coverage
*Fully insulated casing keeps water cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter
*Extremely Energy efficient
*Features an adjustable thermostat
*Flip top cover provides easy access to stainless steel trough, drain plug, float and valve
*Large side access panel provides ample room for maintenance
*Waters 1-30 head
*Limited 10 year warranty
For more information on this premium line of automatic waterers, please visit the EcoFount page on our website.
You can save on Ritchie purchases at the show as well. If you are interested in purchasing a Ritchie automatic waterer while attending the tour, be sure to print your
coupon for an extra 5% off.
We are looking forward to seeing you there.
The warm weather is upon us…so we hope. Stationed in Iowa, we know that one day we can enjoy 70 degree temperatures and tee shirts and shorts start to make an appearance. The very next day we can have a blizzard warning.
Without a doubt, the warmer weather is sure to be right around the corner. At that time, a minimum amount of maintenance should be done to our all plastic units, such as the WaterMatic, WaterMaster , and Thrifty King family. To maintain the lifetime of the immersion heater, remove the heater when the threat of freezing is gone, wipe any deposits off and store until the fall. The cable heater can be unplugged and if you choose, you can remove that as well.
For any waterers that have a stainless steel trough and has the heat built in, no maintenance is required. You can turn the electricity off to the unit should you choose.
If any parts need to be replaced, the warmer months are an excellent time to do so. For parts to the smaller units, contact your local dealer, distributor or visit http://www.ritchieequine.com. Parts for the larger waterers can be found through your dealer, distributor or by calling Ritchie direct at 800-747-0222.
As always, we are more than happy to answer any questions, you may have.
The WaterMatic Family could be considered our most versatile line of automatic waterers that we have on the market. From the low to the ground 150S which is designed for goats and sheep to our large capacity 1000 for large herds, the WaterMatic provides fresh water on demand to countless breeds. Designed to withstand feedlot abuse, the WaterMatics feature a 10 year limited warranty.
Warm Climates – energy free use
The WaterMatic family does not come standard with heat which makes these set of waterers ideal for warmer climates where freezing is not an issue. The fully insulated waterer will help keep the water cooler in the summer which will promote the animals drinking. The valve chamber (the center portion) acts as a cooler, maintaining the temperature of the incoming water. The cooler water will then circulate into the trough as soon as the animal drinks, providing cool drinking water. The poly casing is also infused with UV inhibitors to ensure long lasting durability and functionality.
Moderate and Cold Weather Climates
Although the WaterMatic series does not come standard with heat however it is an added option. The Immersion Heater can be placed into the valve chamber to prevent the water in the trough and the valve chamber from freezing. The self regulating thermostat has a range of 45-65 degrees and will turn of and on as needed. To pretect the valve and the water supply line use the Self regulating heat cable which also features a built in thermostat. Both heaters can easily be plugged in for easy installation and removal. Ritchie always recommends the use of both heaters to provide ultimate winter protection. Even with the addition of the heaters, the waterers remain energy efficient. On the smaller units, the average cost of electricity is between $20-$30 for the entire winter.
Additional Features
A sloped trough allows for quick and easy cleaning.
Ritchie’s tried and true valve for quick refill that will keep up with animals drinking.
One piece rugged fountain body, durable enough for feedlot situations.
Generous side access panel provides room to access the water supply line and optional heat.
Polyurethane foam insulation sealed inside polyethylene parts provides an r-factor of 7 per inch.
Recessed anchor holes accommodate drills and help to provide stability.
No gaskets to tear or crack. The water seal groove around the red valve cover is intended to freeze providing a fresh and secure seal each time it is opened.
Easy access to the valve and float as no tools needed to remove red valve chamber cover.
Conrad, Iowa (December 29, 2010)— Ritchie Industries, manufacturers of durable, dependable automatic waterers, has announced it will become a sponsor of the United States Team Roping Championships (USTRC).
The USTRC has been a leader in producing championship roping events for amateur ropers since 1989. They have delivered more than $25 million in cash and prizes to its members. Their unique TRIAD classification system maintains the handicaps of almost 127,000 team ropers across North America. The USTRC continues to make history and revolutionize the sport of team roping through fairness and a “roper first” philosophy.
“We decided to become a sponsor as the USTRC came highly recommended to us and the more we learned about it, the more impressed we were with the organization,” commented Leon Yantis, President, Ritchie Industries, Inc.
Ritchie Industries manufactures 11 families of products representing 37 products and respective accessories. Their horse waterers are designed with simplicity and a horse’s safety in mind. Four product families are ideal for equine as well as livestock use. They include the new EcoFount, the OmniFount, the Thrifty King and the WaterMatic families. The Stall Fount series of waterers are wall-mounted 304 stainless steel waterers.
Since 1921, Ritchie has manufactured waterers for many species of livestock, including beef, dairy, equine, swine, sheep and goats. The distinct Ritchie design has been the standard bearer of quality. Ritchie fountains continue to serve all sizes of operations and the livestock industry with equipment designed to provide years of trouble-free use. For the name of the Ritchie distributor in your area, please call 800-747-0222 or visit www.ritchiefount.com.
We often receive letters, emails and phone calls from our customers. The following story was sent to us several years ago but is worth sharing. If you have a story or even a concern, we hope that you feel free to contact us anytime.
To whom it may concern:
I missed the photo contest, but I thought I would send in some pictures of a older Ritchie Fountain we recently brought back to life!
I am coming up for a deployment to Iraq with my Guard unit in the near future. As such, I was concerned about leaving my wife and daughter with 3 horses to carry water for. During the summer, we usually string out 3-4 garden hoses and it’s no problem getting water from the house to the barn. The winter however is a different story.
About this time, my wife came home and mentioned that her boss at work had a contraption in his pasture that his wife was bugging him to get moved. So she went to look at it and recognized it as some sort of automatic waterer, but it was in desperate need of some TLC. She brought it home and put it at the top of my “honey-do” list. After putting it off for a couple of months, I cleaned it up and took it apart. I was debating if it was worth repairing. With the help of your website and the assistance of the personnel at Otis Bryant in Caneyville, Ky, I was able to get the parts I needed for under $110. Both heating elements were bad, as was the thermostat and the cable heater. Mud had collected in the bottom of the tank and rusted it quite a bit. After sandblasting, powder-coating, and baking, it was beginning to look better. The hardest part of the job was mixing the concrete for the platform where it sits. I was unable to get a concrete truck to come by so my wife, daughter, and I got to mix almost 4000 lb of concrete using a wheel barrel and a hoe…more work than I was use to!
When I was researching your website for parts, I found the numbers on the brass tag of the fountain. The model of the fountain is an 5E with the number 79 off to the right. If I have read your website correctly, that would make this fountain almost 30 years old! You don’t find many things that last like that anymore, much less something that has been left out and neglected for years.
At any rate, thanks for making a quality product. Now I have one less thing to worry about my wife having to take care of while I’m deployed.
We are moving on to voting in the quarter final rounds beginning next week. Throughout the voting process, I have been posting pictures that unfortunately did not make it to the next round. They are considered honorable mention entries.
Keep checking our blog as we will keep you updated as to the progress of the contest.
Entered by Allison of WV, great shot of the Thrifty King CT4
Entered by Lisa of Kentucky, Great shot of a variety of animals enjoying fresh clean water from their WaterMatic 150S
The voting has resumed on our 2010 photo contest. As I have mentioned before this has been an incredible year for photos. As some of the entries move on to the quarter final round, some unfortunatly have not made it.
Entered by Matt of Pennsylvania of the energy efficient Ritchie CT2-2000
Entered by Cloyd of Pennsylvania
Thanks again to all of our photo contest sponsors eZall, Jeffers Equine, Justin Boots, Rick Lamb, Clinton Anderson, Ken McNabb, STI, Cinch Jeans and even a brand new Ritchie Waterer.
For the past 5 years, we have been conducting a photo contest from January to August of each year. Although the contest started small, over the years it has gained momentum and resulted in some incredible photos. This year is a testament to that as we have had a record number of entries. That may have something to do with the great prizes supplied by our photo contest sponsors like eZall, Jeffers Equine, Justin Boots, Rick Lamb, Clinton Anderson, Ken McNabb, STI, Cinch Jeans and even a brand new Ritchie Waterer. The photo contest is a fun way for us and our customers see installations and animals not only in the United States but around the world. We have received pictures from as far as Greece.
We began our voting on Monday of this week, August 2nd. Due to the large number of images received this year, voting will not be complete until the end of next week or even the following week. At that time the winner will be announced. Contacting the winners are some of the most delightful phone calls to make.
As we move on to the quarter final rounds, I would like to share with you some of the images that were great but unfortunately didn’t make it to the quarter final round.
Entered by Tammy of Iowa. Love the steam and the water drips.
What a great winter photo of our newest waterer the EcoFount. Entered by Judy of Iowa
Entered by Matthew and Jennifer in Canada. They provided this description “- it looks as though one is speaking to you giving commentary as his buddy takes a drink: “Step up to the bar for a cold one-cold enough to be refreshing, never cold enough to freeze.” Bulls with personality, the whole lot of ‘em.” Yes we do.
Thanks everyone who has entered. As you can see we have had some excellent entries. Keep watching for more updates on this years winners and watch for our photo contest coming January 2011.
About this time, my wife came home and mentioned that her boss at work had a contraption in his pasture that his wife was bugging him to get moved. So she went to look at it and recognized it as some sort of automatic waterer, but it was in desperate need of some TLC. She brought it home and put it at the top of my “honey-do” list. After putting it off for a couple of months, I cleaned it up and took it apart. I was debating if it was worth repairing. With the help of your website and the assistance of the personnel at Otis Bryant in Caneyville, Ky, I was able to get the parts I needed for under $110. Both heating elements were bad, as was the thermostat and the cable heater. Mud had collected in the bottom of the tank and rusted it quite a bit. After sandblasting, powder-coating, and baking, it was beginning to look better. The hardest part of the job was mixing the concrete for the platform where it sits. I was unable to get a concrete truck to come by so my wife, daughter, and I got to mix almost 4000 lb of concrete using a wheel barrel and a hoe…more work than I was use to!
