Water troughs

[Grayme]

I have a couple tanks that needs replaced. I am looking to replace with 4 ball troughs. A local guy that use to sell Richie (and install) now does not and has another brand he says want crack as bad as the Richie are doing (not sure his brand). I always thought Richie was the best. What other water trough brands are good and will last?

At an auction a couple year ago, I saw firsthand used Richie troughs with cracks they were trying to sell. Are some tougher than others.

I have a 2 ball Mirafount that I've had for years,bought used. The only issue ive had with it was not shutting off properly. It was because it had the wrong water valve in it. I needed the high pressure valve,it had a low pressure shut off valve.

 

[Muletrack]

I have a couple tanks that needs replaced. I am looking to replace with 4 ball troughs. A local guy that use to sell Richie (and install) now does not and has another brand he says want crack as bad as the Richie are doing (not sure his brand). I always thought Richie was the best. What other water trough brands are good and will last?

At an auction a couple year ago, I saw firsthand used Richie troughs with cracks they were trying to sell. Are some tougher than others.

Up here in North Dakota, where it can get super cold, Ritchie is the brand most of us use. If I needed another one right now I would buy another Ritchie Omnifount 5.

 

[Silver]

Up here in North Dakota, where it can get super cold, Ritchie is the brand most of us use. If I needed another one right now I would buy another Ritchie Omnifount 5.

I just bought another Omnifount 5. Got it to replace the CanArm the bulls damaged last winter. Haven’t installed it yet. I hate the way Ritchie molds their plastic so you can’t drill through the mounting holes. They are a tough trough, which is why I bought it, but the CanArm is far nicer to work on and the thermostat works much better on the CanArm. Seems like I’m always adjusting the Ritchie. But the float cover on the Ritchie is far more trouble free. Pros and cons to both for sure.

 

[clarkmorefarm]

View attachment 63034
True Test 4 ball is the last one i installed. There is no bowl around the ball to catch trash. Also if the cattle aren't using it there is no bowl to collect rain and freeze.
I still like my tire troughs with the remote float better.

I have 3 of these and highly recommend them.

They work well on my place.

I'll probably end up installing a 4th one in 2026.

 

[hrsr]

I just bought another Omnifount 5. Got it to replace the CanArm the bulls damaged last winter. Haven’t installed it yet. I hate the way Ritchie molds their plastic so you can’t drill through the mounting holes. They are a tough trough, which is why I bought it, but the CanArm is far nicer to work on and the thermostat works much better on the CanArm. Seems like I’m always adjusting the Ritchie. But the float cover on the Ritchie is far more trouble free. Pros and cons to both for sure.

Silver, would you pay twice as much for the poly Ritchie over the Canarm for regular use mainly with cows located in a fence line between two pens. Not interested in any other make as these are what is readily available locally with easy access to parts.