Ritchie Thrifty King CT4-2000 #16430
200 beef
Freight quote required if shipping. Request a freight quote here.
Available for pickup in the following locations:
- Chambersburg, PA
- Sioux Falls, SD
- Lincoln, NE
- Beloit, KS
- Billings, MT
- Denver, CO
Contact us for pick-up information.
Ritchie Thrifty King CT4-2000 #16430 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 is a freight item. Please reach out to us for a freight quote otherwise ask about our pick-up options.
Freight items typically take 1-2 weeks for delivery. Allow extra time during peak season.
Complete the Freight Quote request for best pricing.
Ritchie Thrifty King CT4-2000 #16430
Ritchie Thrifty King CT4-2000 #16430 is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Description
Description
The Ritchie Thrifty King CT4-2000 is a high-capacity, energy-efficient automatic waterer designed for cattle operations that require dependable performance in demanding conditions. Featuring four drinking openings, this unit provides excellent access for larger herds while maintaining consistent water availability across pasture and remote setups.
Built with thick, impact-resistant polyethylene, the CT4-2000 features a fully sealed design that prevents moisture from reaching the insulation—helping retain heat and improve performance in colder weather. Its energy-free or low-energy operation uses ground heat and animal activity to help prevent freezing, reducing reliance on electricity.
Equipped with Ritchie’s patented drinking well system and insulated elliptical closures, the CT4-2000 minimizes cold air exposure while allowing easy access for cattle. A reliable float-controlled valve system ensures steady water levels with minimal waste.
Designed for durability and ease of maintenance, this unit provides a practical, cost-effective watering solution for producers managing larger groups of cattle.
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.
Maximum Capacity. Minimal Energy. Built for the Herd.
The Ritchie Thrifty King CT4-2000 is built for larger herds that demand reliable water access without high energy costs. With four drinking areas, a fully insulated sealed design, and patented drinking well technology, it helps retain heat, reduce ice, and deliver consistent hydration in tough pasture conditions—making it a dependable, low-maintenance solution for high-demand operations.
Product Comparison
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Need Parts for your Thrifty King CT4?
Shop our CT4 Parts list for a complete list of products specific to your waterer.
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2% offRitchie 3/4" High pressure valve bracket accessory #18838
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1% offRitchie Thrifty King Ribbed Elliptical Closure part 16646
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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 CT4-2000 really operate without electricity?
Can the CT4-2000 really operate without electricity?
Yes, in many cases. The Thrifty King CT4-2000 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 CT4-2000 support?
How many cattle can the CT4-2000 support?
The CT4-2000 is rated for 200 head of beef but typically support up to 70-100 head of beef cattle, depending on usage and flow conditions.
How does the CT4 prevent freezing?
How does the CT4 prevent freezing?
It uses heavy insulation, a sealed design, and patented drinking wells to retain heat and reduce exposure to cold air.
Are the drinking openings easy for cattle to use?
Are the drinking openings easy for cattle to use?
Yes. The CT2 features an elliptical closure that tips easily, requiring less force than traditional round balls. Just 5 ounces of pressure. This makes it easier for cattle to drink while still helping keep heat in the unit.
How easy is the CT4-2000 to maintain?
How easy is the CT4-2000 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.
Are the closures easy for cattle to open?
Are the closures easy for cattle to open?
Yes. The elliptical closures tip easily, requiring less effort than traditional ball closures while maintaining insulation.
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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