Franklin waterer not filling--has anyone used these things?

[Simkie]

We have the F-5 waterer from this page in our field:

http://www.franklinwaterers.com/cattle.html

A few days ago, after a cold and blowy day, I found that it wasn’t filling. The heater works and the trough part isn’t frozen. The float thing is moving. But water doesn’t come up.

I am really, really hoping the water line isn’t frozen, but I don’t know enough about these waterers to know what to check to narrow it down to that. The line and the waterer were installed by a local well guy with a good reputation, so I’d be surprised if it’s a simple issue like the waterline not deep enough.

Ideas?

[My_Two_Cents]

There is a chance that the water lines are froze above the ground but under the trough. We use gallons of hot water to pour on the pipe underneath. Ours has a favorite bend in the pipe where it freezes. Ours usually only causes a problem when it’s below zero and windy. You know, like it was all week long. Good luck. A blow dryer may work also if you have a handy outlet.

[Simkie]

You pour gallons of hot water on the piping inside the waterer? Where does it go?

We do have a handy outlet, and while my husband was tasked with picking up a heat gun from Home Depot, he forgot.

We’ll be setting up a trough tonight with a heater and dealing with the stupid Franklin later. I really hate these things. Grumble Grumble.

[My_Two_Cents]

Yes. Pour the hot water over the supply pipes under the waterer. The spilled water will go down in the hole that the pipes come up or on the ground underneath. Be careful of any electrical wires under there. I can usually get ours to go on two or three gallons. Typically it will freeze at a turn in the pipe or around a shutoff valve. If you have plastic pipe that attaches to a metal coupling somewhere I would try to heat that spot too. Watch for any puddles you create that go to the outside where a horse might slip. Make sure any gaps between the ground and the waterer are sealed up that would allow cold air under there. When you get it to go, bale the trough out so it has to run a little so any ice chunks melt from the warmer water underground so it doesn’t plug the valve.

ETA: You could also try pouring hot water over the valve. It might be froze even if you can move it.

[Simkie]

Oh, okay! I can picture it better now, thank you

Is this a regular sort of deal for you? I’m not real keen on these waterers to start with, but if freezing in the winter is normal, I’m that much closer to just ripping them out and trying something different.

[My_Two_Cents]

Oh no, leave them in. Ours are only a problem when it’s 10 below and with gale force west winds. Ours newest one is probably 40 years old. It’s really only a problem a few times some years, some years it is not a problem at all. Last year we froze an underground pipe. I had to haul water to a couple horses. It reminded me how much I love our tanks. Once you figure out where the problem area is you can cover it with pipe insulation and you may never have a problem again. Make sure the hole that the pipes come up is open so the ground heat can get under there to help keep the pipes warm.

[Simkie]

Win for the heat gun! I don’t know WHAT, exactly, was frozen, but after spending maybe 20 minutes heating up everything I could see inside and on top of the damned thing, water was flowing. Yay!

I’m shocked you have Franklin waterers that are 40 years old. Seriously–Franklins?? The paint is chipping badly on mine and they’re rusting. I’d be shocked if they last another five without starting to go. They’re less than five years old now. NO WAY would they get to 20, much less 40!

[My_Two_Cents]

Ours are Ritchie brand. I think they used to make them to last instead of cheap throw away made things today.

Glad you got the waterer to run again.Try adding insulation underneath and blocking any drafty spots. Your water really shouldn’t have froze quite so quick. Hopefully you can work the quirks out of it. It really is nice having a good source of water available without having to haul it.