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
20 gal548 W
3.7/5
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.
- 10 galCapacity
- 548 WHeater
- HardwiredCord
Check price at Amazon$1,329.99
Price checked November 9, 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Pros
- A 10 gallon trough waters up to 100 horses or beef cattle
- Splits a fence or stands alone in a pen
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- 548 W of heat costs more to run than the smaller OmniFounts
- Needs a buried water line and electrical hookup
The Ritchie OmniFount family
Every Ritchie OmniFount model we rank, smallest first. Ratings compare each against its own type.
| Model | Capacity | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ritchie OmniFount 1 | 1.5 gal | 2.7/5 | $729.99 |
| Ritchie OmniFount 2 | 2.2 gal | 2.9/5 | $879.99 |
| Ritchie OmniFount 2 Special | 2.2 gal | 2.9/5 | $899.99 |
| Ritchie OmniFount 3 (this one) | 10 gal | 3.7/5 | $1,329.99 |
| Ritchie OmniFount 5 | 16 gal | 4.1/5 | $1,509.99 |
How it scores
The rating comes from 5 measured or published factors, each scored 0-100 against fixed reference points for its type. How we rank explains each one.
Specifications
| Model number | 18270 |
|---|---|
| Water | |
| Type | Automatic waterer |
| Capacity | 10 gal |
| Price per gallon | $133 |
| Drinker | Trough |
| Animals served | 100 beef cattle or horses, 50 dairy |
| Heating | |
| Heater power | 548 W |
| Thermostat | Yes |
| Insulated | Yes |
| Power cord | |
| Cord | Hardwired |
| Chew protection | Yes |
| Build | |
| Material | Polyethylene body, 304 stainless steel trough |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Alternatives in this type
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
16 gal548 W
Ritchie OmniFount 2
A double-sided heated automatic waterer that splits a fence between two small pens or paddocks. It waters up to 40 horses or beef cattle.
Amazon $879.99$879.99
2.2 gal298 W
Compare
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