Hoskins CH36S Automatic Cattle and Hog Waterer – 33 Gallon, 36 x 28 in.

Hoskins rates every model by head rather than by gallons. The C28 carries 75 to 100, the C36 75 to 125, the C48 100 to 200, the C75 150 to 250, the C95 250 to 350 and the C120 up to 500. Size on peak demand rather than daily average, because cattle come to water as a bunch after feeding.

Only the frame height. A C36-16 and a C36-26 are the same 36 x 26 in. stainless tank, the same 31 gallons and the same head rating. The 26 in. frame lifts the trough out of mud, snow and bedding pack, and adds about 25 lb. to the shipping weight.

Extension figures put dry and bred cows at 6 to 15 gallons a day, nursing cows at 11 to 18, growing cattle at 4 to 15 and dairy cattle at 15 to 30. Hot weather pushes every one of those toward the top of its range.

Give each unit its own breaker. The C120 at 2,100 watts draws roughly 17.5 amps at 120 volts, which is more than a general purpose circuit should carry, so settle the supply with your electrician before the trench goes in. The smaller models are comfortable on a dedicated 15 amp circuit.

A reinforced pad set a few inches above the surrounding ground is what makes one of these last. It keeps manure and mud out of the frame, gives the cattle clean footing, and stops the unit settling out of level. Grade so that water runs away from the pad rather than toward it.

The C28, C36 and C48 run the 1/2 in. Bob valve. The C75, C95 and C120 run the 3/4 in. All cattle models use an 8 in. float rod and a 2 in. rubber stopper. Read the model number off the plate on the service door before ordering.

The heated models combine ground heat with an electric element mounted clear of the tank, so heat reaches the water through the air space rather than through a hot spot on the steel. Keeping one open still depends on the power staying on, the element and thermostat working and the riser being protected, so check all three in autumn rather than in January.