How do you keep water tanks away from electric sources from freezing during winter? This is in northern rural areas with a somewhat large herd. I have a friend that has been fighting that issue for a few years ask me if I had any ideas for a heater/pump idea, something like a fountain pump and solar heater. I am drawing blanks. All help is appreciated. Thanks.
- Thread starter 1970-1655
- Start date
fordsonjack
Member
I've been using propane stock tank heaters for many years, been a while since I had to buy a new one but I think they are around $400 now, I had my local propane supplier bring out small tanks, I think 200 gal, to hook them to. Seem to work pretty good.
notjustair
Well-known Member
We used propane out where the tanks were away from the barn. They warmed the water pretty good. Unless it was bitter cold we turned them off during the day. They were older than dirt, so I know they couldn't have been very efficient. I'll bet they are even better now. I almost bought one until I saw how proud they are of them. I decided to wait until I saw one at an auction.
I also have really good luck building an L shaped set of walls covered with tin (that faces south) and putting the tank inside the corner. It blocks the wind and really warms up nice during the day.
I also have really good luck building an L shaped set of walls covered with tin (that faces south) and putting the tank inside the corner. It blocks the wind and really warms up nice during the day.
Dean Olson
Well-known Member
Way back in the day I saw a stock tank that had copper running from the bottom of the tank, through a coil of pipe inside a 55 gallon barrel, then back in the top of the tank. Old boy would fill barrel with wood, add a touch of diesel, and have a good fire going. Kept it thawed out just fine.
1370 pwr in ne
Member
We have a steel wood burner that works ok.Any blacksmith could build one.Have to fill it couple of times a day to keep it going.Other wise we use propane heaters.
1970,When I was in the Panhandles during the 80s and Hauling water to yearling out on Wheat Pasture and Corn Stalks we used LP heaters, some we didn't' When the weather got really bad we would cut the top out of 55 gal barrels and sink it vertically with steel, rocks what ever we had! Add 5 gal of Dsl and a splash of gas to get it started and it would burn for 3 or 6 hours / night!
Now days LP heater are the best bet! better control of heat!
Later,
John A.
Now days LP heater are the best bet! better control of heat!
Later,
John A.
Amish used to kerosene tank heaters and most likely some still do. A lot of them use propane tank heaters now. They have a lot of feed lots in our area small and large and they hire someone with a ton flat bed to take them to a propane filling station with a bunch of small tanks. Both 20 and 40 pounders. I see them about every day as I drive by.
Propane heaters are very reliable, most have pilot lights and thermostats. You may need a waterer designed to use a gas heater. Two 100 lb. propane bottles hooked to a regulator that will switch bottles when one gets empty is a good way to go.
If you have a lot of animals and a well insulated waterer, the heat from new water flowing into the unit can be enough to prevent freezing. If no animals are drinking, they still freeze up without a backup heater.
If you have enough slope and enough water flow, a spring fed waterer can also work.
If you have a lot of animals and a well insulated waterer, the heat from new water flowing into the unit can be enough to prevent freezing. If no animals are drinking, they still freeze up without a backup heater.
If you have enough slope and enough water flow, a spring fed waterer can also work.
Large angled L with a stove pipe at other end box heater. set in stock tank with end of L close enought to the side to toss in some wood chunks, bit of kindling and a cup of gas/kerosene on end of longer handle to pour into end smoke stack. Small 'torch' wave over end of stack, WOOSH and fire in the hole. Smoke stack sets higher than loading end with the flap, start fire at the stack end for fast draft start, put a couple coal chunks in with the wood blocks and fire burns all night, keeps water from forming ice cover, cows can go out and get a drink any time, pigs water at bottom also free- and mama muscovy duck has a place to splash some in the winter. That worked when I was growing up on Iowa farm. EPA probably jump on you now for wood and coal burning without a scrubber on the stack. RN.
Similar threads
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.
Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy