Ritchie Thrifty King CT1 #16271 - Single Hole Waterer
30 Beef
Ritchie Thrifty King CT1 #16271 - Single Hole Waterer is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Common Applications
Common Applications
Features
Features
Specifications
Specifications
Warranty
Warranty
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
This item can be shipped UPS. Some UPS items are considered oversize and will incur additional shipping charges.
If you are looking at a bulk shipment, complete the Freight Quote request for best pricing.
Ritchie Thrifty King CT1 #16271 - Single Hole Waterer
Ritchie Thrifty King CT1 #16271 - Single Hole Waterer is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Description
Description
The Ritchie Thrifty King CT1-2000 is a dependable, energy-efficient automatic waterer designed for cattle operations that need reliable performance without high operating costs. Built as a single-drinking hole unit, it’s ideal for smaller groups or controlled-access watering setups where durability and simplicity matter.
Constructed with thick, impact-resistant polyethylene, the CT1-2000 features a fully sealed design that protects insulation from moisture, helping maintain consistent water temperature year-round. Its energy-free or minimal-energy design reduces the need for electricity while still helping prevent freezing in many climates when properly installed.
The unit includes Ritchie’s patented drinking well and insulated closure system, which helps retain heat in the water and reduce ice formation. Combined with a reliable float-controlled valve, it ensures consistent water levels and minimizes waste.
With simple access for maintenance and rugged construction built for livestock environments, the CT1-2000 is a practical, low-maintenance solution for cattle producers looking to reduce costs while maintaining dependable water access.
Parts lists that include this part
Thrifty King Energy Free Requirements
- There must be at least 10 animals that have the Thrifty King fountain as their only source of water.
- There must be a good seal against wind between the concrete platform and base of the unit.
- The water seal grooves between the base, and top of the unit, and between the top of the unit and the valve cover must be filled with liquid.
- The supply water temperature must be at least 42o F. (This may be an issue for rural or municipal water supplies.)
Installation is KEY! Follow the manufacturers recommendation. Thermal Tubes are recocommended. If possible, consider running electricity in the event your watering situation changes heat protection is needed. Stop and waste valve recommended with evry new installation.
Low Energy. High Reliability. Built for the Pasture.
The Ritchie Thrifty King CT1-2000 delivers dependable cattle watering without the need for constant power. With its insulated, sealed design and patented drinking well system, it helps retain heat, reduce ice, and keep water available in tough conditions, making it a smart, low-maintenance solution for pasture-based operations.
Product Comparison
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Need Parts for your Thrifty King CT1?
Shop our CT1 Parts list for a complete list of products specific to your waterer.
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Ritchie Replacement Valve Chamber cover for Thrifty King CT1
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1% offRitchie Thrifty King Ribbed Elliptical Closure part 16646
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Ritchie Bolt Package 3" x 6" Nut with Washer #16538
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Energy free does not work for sheep and goats in freezing weather
This is the most common misunderstanding we run into, and we would rather talk you out of the wrong unit than sell you one that disappoints you in January.
An energy free waterer stays open because animals keep drinking from it. Every drink pulls warmer water up from the supply line and keeps the trough turning over. That is the entire mechanism. It works well for cattle because cattle drink a lot, and often.
Sheep and goats do not drink enough to do that. They take small amounts and they take them less often, and it is not a herd size problem. A hundred head of sheep still will not move enough water through the trough to hold off a freeze. Buying a bigger unit or adding more animals does not fix it.
What we recommend instead
- Run electric to the waterer. If you are watering sheep or goats through a freezing winter, plan on power at the unit from the start.
- Add the optional immersion heater and self-regulating heat cable for added winter protection. The Ritchie heat package for poly units pairs both, with the immersion heater warming the trough and the cable protecting the supply line.
- Or step up to a heated unit, such as the WaterMatic 150S or the Omni-2 Special. Both are built to hold water open on their own rather than relying on the animals to do it.
If you are set on running energy free anyway, know what you are signing up for. In freezing weather the unit may need checking several times a day to make sure the water is not starting to ice over.
You can replicate drinking by hand. Scoop water out of the trough with a small bucket into a larger 5 gallon bucket. Taking water out is what pulls warmer water in from the supply line and replenishes the trough, which is exactly what the animals would be doing if they drank like cattle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the CT1-2000 really operate without electricity?
Can the CT1-2000 really operate without electricity?
Yes, in many cases. The Thrifty King CT1-2000 is designed as an energy-free or low-energy waterer, using heavy insulation and a sealed design to retain ground heat.
However, proper installation and herd usage are important, and supplemental heat may be needed in extreme climates.
How many cattle can the CT1-2000 support?
How many cattle can the CT1-2000 support?
The CT1-2000 is a single drinking area waterer designed for up to 30 head of beef cattle, making it ideal for small herds, pasture rotations, or controlled access setups.
How does the Thrifty King keep water from freezing?
How does the Thrifty King keep water from freezing?
It uses fully insulated polyethylene construction and a patented drinking well system that eliminates cold spots and retains heat in the water. The insulated elliptical closure also helps reduce exposure to cold air.
See the energy free requirements on this page.
Are the drinking openings easy for cattle to use?
Are the drinking openings easy for cattle to use?
Yes. The CT1 features an elliptical closure that tips easily, requiring less force than traditional round balls. This makes it easier for cattle to drink while still helping keep heat in the unit.
How easy is the CT1-2000 to maintain?
How easy is the CT1-2000 to maintain?
Maintenance is straightforward. The unit includes a finger-lift service cover (no tools required) and easy access to internal components, making cleaning and servicing quick and simple.
Sheep and Goats
Can I use this energy free for sheep or goats in a freezing climate?
Can I use this energy free for sheep or goats in a freezing climate?
No, and this is the most common misunderstanding we run into. An energy free waterer stays open because animals keep drinking and pulling warmer water up from the supply line. Sheep and goats drink in small amounts and less often than cattle, so they do not move enough water through the trough to hold off a freeze. It is not a herd size problem either. A hundred head of sheep still will not do it.
What should I use for sheep and goats in winter instead?
What should I use for sheep and goats in winter instead?
Plan on running electric to the waterer. From there you can add the optional immersion heater and self-regulating heat cable for added winter protection, available together as the Ritchie heat package for poly units, or step up to a heated unit such as the WaterMatic 150S or the Omni-2 Special. Deciding that at the start is a lot easier than trenching power out to a waterer in February.
What if I run energy free with sheep or goats anyway?
What if I run energy free with sheep or goats anyway?
Then plan on checking it several times a day when it is freezing, to catch the water before it starts to ice over. You can also replicate drinking by hand: scoop water out of the trough with a small bucket into a larger 5 gallon bucket. Removing water is what draws warmer water in from the supply line and refreshes the trough, which is the job the animals are not doing on their own.
More ways to shop Ritchie
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Shop Ritchie Waterers
Very easy. The trough is designed so all surfaces slope to a large drain, allowing it to empty quickly and clean out faster than traditional waterers. It also includes a finger-lift service cover, so you can access internal components without tools.
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