Ritchie OmniFount 3
A mid-size heated automatic waterer for herds of up to 100 horses or beef cattle. The 10 gallon trough keeps up with a busy pen.
Amazon $1,329.99$1,329.99
The Ritchie OmniFount 3 rates 3.7 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 $1,267.28 less ($62.71 vs $1,329.99).
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 OmniFount 3 | API 20FB 20 Quart Heated Bucket |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.7/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Value 30% | 70 $133 per gallon ($1,329.99, 10 gal) | 54 $12.54 per gallon ($62.71, 5 gal) |
| Capacity 15% | 46 10 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 OmniFount 3 | API 20FB 20 Quart Heated Bucket | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | ||
| Type | Automatic waterer | Heated bucket |
| Capacity | 10 gal | 5 gal |
| Price per gallon | $133 | $12.54 |
| Drinker | Trough | Open top |
| Animals served | 100 beef cattle or horses, 50 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 |