What's the advantage in using a Cobett waterer?
Cobett waterers were designed to have three main features: an open drinking area, wide-open access to the
plumbing and no required heating device. Apparently these and other features are widely appreciated, as word-of-mouth and repeat customers generate nearly 80% of sales!
Cobett waterers are available with various valve options to meet the customer’s needs. The floatless valve
requires clean, pressurized water (not dirty, rusty or high mineral content). Water level is set by inserting the valve adjuster tool into the adjusting knob and rotating slightly. A diaphragm that senses the water weight activates this valve. The float valves use a thick cord to attach a 5 3/8” heavy-duty polyethylene float to the valves. Ice chunks that may cling to the float do not hamper valve function. Remember, ice floats too.
Do I have to run electricity to the Cobett waterer?
Electric heat is not required for valve protection. However, there is room within the ground heat chamber to
install a low-wattage heating device for reducing surface ice. Each Cobett waterer comes with a 23 1/2” diameter Ground Heat Tube (GHT) of an appropriate length for the customer’s locale. Digging a hole and burying all but 20” of the waterer installs the GHT and waterer. Cobett fully utilizes a wide column of ground heat by placing the tub inside the ground heat chamber, not just above it. The entire tub of water is constantly and directly warmed or cooled by the surrounding underground temperatures. Because there are no doors, seals or a concrete pad, there are no cracks for air leaks! Lacking a door or covering that could accidentally freeze shut or open, Cobett allows Mother Nature to generate a relatively small amount of ice on the water surface. Unheated Cobett testing results and customer reports reveal some examples of overnight ice thickness in a beef dry lot situation:
1) 15-20 head @ -10°F and no wind = 1/ 2” ice
2) 0-5 head @ + 10°F and no wind = 1” ice.
3) with no traffic after 3:00 p.m. @ -20°F with -40°F wind chill = 2” ice.
Thicker ice occurs if water is consumed only once or twice daily. A 4 1/2” icecap has been observed at -
40°F during a -70°F wind-chill factor. Regardless of temperature, wind-chill or livestock traffic, it should take only a few seconds to open any overnight icing that may occur. Use the ice chipper tool if the need arises, generally once that day. Customers like knowing that Cobett eliminates frozen valves and plumbing!
What makes Cobett waterers really different?
Cobett’s unmatched winter endurance and versatility make it ideal for stockmen and sale barns! While Cobett is not a constant-flow system, even zero traffic does not freeze up the valve and plumbing as long as the tub is filled with water! For extended non-use, the lid can be applied to retard the ice. Cobett's durability and long life are due to... the black color, round design, UV inhibited polyethylene, substantial wall thickness and the buried installation.
Installing can be a half-day, four-step process: 1. Dig a hole. 2. Set unit in hole. 3. Refill hole with dirt. 4. Lay 12” of gravel on top of the ground prior to livestock using the waterer. Laying 1” size, unwashed gravel on top of filter fabric greatly extends the life of gravel by keeping it out of the dirt. Using filter fabric eliminates the need for 3” size gravel. It is okay to pour concrete around the waterer after the ground has settled, if desired. Also, a suitable hole could be cut in an existing concrete floor. It is important to install Cobett in a well-drained location or install drainage tile. Obviously, installing the waterer in a mudhole would compromise its’ stability! Also, the drier the pit, the better the ground heat can efficiently minimize the icing.
Cleaning is easily done by lifting out the tub, swirling the water and emptying it out. To lift the tub, remove
two bolts from the top of Model SB or four bolts from the top of Model LB. Dip out some water from the Model LB tub before lifting. All tubs can be easily disconnected, if desired. You remain upright, dry and without smelly hands after cleaning the tub!
We developed this waterer for our own Iowa farm in 1993. We came to fully appreciate this system during
the severe winter of 1995 and began to test market our waterers in the fall of 1996. Cobett usage has now spread to several other regions: AL, AR, CO, CT, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TN, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY and Canada. Cobett Company guarantees satisfaction to the original owner for one year from the date of purchase.
Cobett waterers are marketed directly to customers. Phone orders can be picked up at our location or shipped via commercial freight (not UPS) to a town near you.
U.S. Patent 5,740,760 • Canada Patent 2,198,647