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 is the better heated waterer overall, rated 4.2 to 4.1. The Ritchie CattleMaster 480 leads on capacity. The Ritchie OmniFount 5 costs $390 less ($1,509.99 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.
Ritchie OmniFount 5
A large heated automatic waterer for herds of up to 150 head. It costs less per gallon than the smaller OmniFounts.
Amazon $1,509.99$1,509.99
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Ritchie CattleMaster 480 for capacity (20 gal vs 16 gal).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every automatic waterers heated waterer; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Ritchie CattleMaster 480 | Ritchie OmniFount 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Value 30% | 88 $95 per gallon ($1,899.99, 20 gal) | 88 $94.37 per gallon ($1,509.99, 16 gal) |
| Capacity 15% | 100 20 gal | 78 16 gal |
| Cold rating 20% | 0 cold rating not published, scored as none | 0 cold rating not published, scored as none |
| Features 20% | 100 thermostat, insulated, hardwired, no cord | 100 thermostat, insulated, hardwired, no cord |
| Warranty 15% | 100 10 years warranty | 100 10 years warranty |
Specifications
| Ritchie CattleMaster 480 | Ritchie OmniFount 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | ||
| Type | Automatic waterer | Automatic waterer |
| Capacity | 20 gal | 16 gal |
| Price per gallon | $95 | $94.37 |
| Drinker | Trough | Trough |
| Animals served | 180 beef cattle, 90 dairy | 150 beef cattle or horses, 75 dairy |
| Heating | ||
| Heater power | 548 W | 548 W |
| Thermostat | Yes | Yes |
| Insulated | Yes | Yes |
| Power cord | ||
| Cord | Hardwired | Hardwired |
| Chew protection | Yes | Yes |
| Build | ||
| Material | Polyethylene body, 304 stainless steel trough | Polyethylene body, 304 stainless steel trough |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 years |