O/T trough heater

does anyone still use the old livestock water heater that burns coal or wood, i need to make one some how but i would like to see a picure of a homemade one if possible, anybody out there use one. :~)

Someone asked a similar question about a week ago- one response gave good description and rough dimensions. Maybe here, Implements, or Tool Talk?

Here is a copy of my former post. JimN
Re: OT Wood or Coal Stock Tank Deicers in reply to Dachshund, 12-23-2008 18:04:51

Ours was coal fired. It had a box about 15 inches square, and 18 inchs deep that was the fire box. It had a removable for cleaning, grate about 3" off the bottom, made from iron rods about 5/8 diameter, spaced abput 3/4" apart. A 3" diameter inlet pipe was J shaped and about 10 inches taller than the top of the box. The "chimney" was 6" and ran for about 3 feet under water to heat additional water with flue heat before turning up to the vertical, and stood 5 or 6' above the box, and was on the opposite side from the intake. All these were iron/steel and sealed to prevent water from getting in. The lid was hinged to allow loading and tending, but was overhanging to limit cattle from splashing water into the joint. A damper was set into the exhaust pipe to regulate draft. I would put it into both intake and exhaust to regulate combustion more easily. Both had cone shaped "hats to keep out rain.
It was set into the tank with about 2 inches of wall above waterline. This is a memory from more than50 years, so take it for that!! JimN

Here's a picture of one in a 1897 Sears & Roebuck catalog.

It's a real bargain to at only $4.75. Probably don't stock it anymore at KMart though.

My neighbor has one that's made completely out of cast iron. If you find one of those you will be set for life (and probably your grandchildren's lives too.
Acme Tank Heater

Here ya go. Check out government surplus sites in your area or google immersion heater. You could probably figure out a way to burn a chunk of coal in something like it, but they didn't use much fuel.

Dave

https://www.mainemilitary.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=106&idproduct=2411

Nobody fools around that stuff anymore. They use ground source ehat. No moving parts, no electricity. Just heat from the ground. What could be simpler & more reliable?