Ritchie CattleMaster 480
A big heated automatic waterer for cattle herds of up to 180 head. It has the largest trough of the automatic waterers here.
Amazon $1,899.99$1,899.99
The Ritchie CattleMaster 480 rates 4.2 among automatic waterers heated waterers; the API 20FB 20 Quart Heated Bucket rates 3.5 among heated buckets ones. The API 20FB 20 Quart Heated Bucket costs $1,837.28 less ($62.71 vs $1,899.99).
Prices were last checked November 9, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon or the retailer's site at the time of purchase apply. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
API 20FB 20 Quart Heated Bucket
The standard heated stall bucket for a horse or large dog. It keeps water ice-free to -20 °F for little more than a small bucket costs.
Amazon $62.71$62.71
Scores side by side
These two sit in different type classes (automatic waterers and heated buckets), and each is scored against the reference points for its own class, so a rating says how well each does among its own type peers. How we rank explains each factor.
| Factor weight | Ritchie CattleMaster 480 | API 20FB 20 Quart Heated Bucket |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.2/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Value 30% | 88 $95 per gallon ($1,899.99, 20 gal) | 54 $12.54 per gallon ($62.71, 5 gal) |
| Capacity 15% | 100 20 gal | 21 5 gal |
| Cold rating 20% | 0 cold rating not published, scored as none | 100 ice-free to -20 F |
| Features 20% | 100 thermostat, insulated, hardwired, no cord | 80 thermostat, protected cord, cord of 6 ft or more |
| Warranty 15% | 100 10 years warranty | 20 1 year warranty |
Specifications
| Ritchie CattleMaster 480 | API 20FB 20 Quart Heated Bucket | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | ||
| Type | Automatic waterer | Heated bucket |
| Capacity | 20 gal | 5 gal |
| Price per gallon | $95 | $12.54 |
| Drinker | Trough | Open top |
| Animals served | 180 beef cattle, 90 dairy | - |
| Heating | ||
| Heater power | 548 W | 115 W |
| Ice-free to | - | -20 °F |
| Thermostat | Yes | Yes |
| Insulated | Yes | No |
| Power cord | ||
| Cord | Hardwired | 6 ft |
| Chew protection | Yes | Yes |
| Build | ||
| Material | Polyethylene body, 304 stainless steel trough | Polyethylene |
| Warranty | 10 years | 1 year |