Selection of milking machines

How to choose the right milking machine

Milking machines are characterized by their technical data, mobility and type.
Lightweight and small in size, the units can serve one or two cows - great for a small household. For large farms, larger devices are used. The most popular is a lightweight device, due to its mobility of movement. The devices differ in the class of vacuum pumps.

When choosing a device, you should pay attention to the method of vacuum formation. In one case, the vacuum in the device is formed due to the operation of the pulsator and the centrifugal pump. In the other, the work of the pulsator is performed by a piston pump that affects the pressure. When choosing a device, carefully study all the advantages and disadvantages of each of the devices. For example, machines with a pulsator are more complex and expensive, but guarantee high milk yields. Piston pump units are easy to operate at a budget cost, but milking quality is lower than pulsator machines.

Pay attention to the mobility of technology. The device can be mobile or used permanently. The mobile machine is suitable for large farms. The trolley is equipped with wheels and supports, in addition to all the necessary components. The machine easily moves around the service area, processing a large number of heads. The stationary unit is designed to milk a maximum of three cows at close range.

When purchasing a milking device, you should pay attention to the quality of the teat rubber. The health of the cow's udder depends on this part of the unit. The use of rubber in the composition of rubber is considered to be of higher quality. Liners made from low-quality raw materials crack over time, accumulating bacteria, and thus causing harm to the health of the cow. You will have to replace the liner at least once a year. Please note that the price matches the quality of the purchased unit, the assembly of parts, functionality and ease of use.

Classification of milking machines

Depending on the design features, modern milking machines are classified according to the following principles.

Number of milked cows:

• compact (simultaneous maintenance of 1-2 livestock units);
• large.

Collection container:

• can (for compact milking machines);
• through pipelines to a large tank - tank trucks.

Be sure to read: Cart for tractor 2PTS-4

Based on mobility:

• stationary (or milking stations that can be moved to pasture);
• mobile (the animal must be on a leash).

The device of the milking machine

Depending on the method of milking:

• 2-stroke;
• 3-stroke;
• 4-stroke (three-stroke and four-stroke apparatus in modern agriculture is used much less frequently than 2 cycles).

Number of chambers in teat cups:

• one;
• two (2-chamber glasses are more used).

Depending on the method of creating vacuum pulsations:

• with a pulsator (a centrifugal pump is installed);
• with a piston pump, where the pump itself acts as a pulsator that changes the pressure in the glasses (the first type is more complex in design and has a higher price, but the second one is inferior in terms of milking quality).

Depending on the pressure created in the glasses by vacuum:

• high vacuum - from 60 kPa (an experienced farmer will try not to use such devices, since the pressure is so high that with regular milking it can damage the internal tissues of the udder and the milk ejection process will become very painful for the animal);
• low vacuum - up to 40 kPa (can be used to service goats or horses, not so traumatic).

Features of milking livestock using a machine predetermines the classification of milking machines:

• milking machine "Herringbone" (animals can be not on a leash, designed for milking in a special hall (up to 24 cattle places), where the stalls are organized in the shape of a Christmas tree);
• milking machine "Carousel" (equipped as a milking parlor, ring-shaped platform);
• milking machine "Tandem" has three varieties: "Parallel", "Trigon", "Polygon" (the location of the machines, respectively, 2-, 3- and 4-sided, the number of livestock from 1000 units).

The design of the devices also depends on the type of livestock to be milked - large (cows), small (sheep, goats) or horses.

Rules for the use of devices

Due to the noise of some models of milking devices, it is better to accustom animals to their work in advance. After getting used to the cow, you can start using special equipment. If a female cattle has never been milked by hand, then milking with the help of technical means can be started immediately after her calving. Before this, you must carefully examine the animal. In the case when all the indications are good, and the health of the cow does not cause concern, you can proceed to the procedure for taking milk.

The technology of milking with the help of technical devices consists of the following points, which must be strictly adhered to:

• wash the udder thoroughly with warm water and dry it with a towel;
• with clean hands, massage the nipples and udder;
• check the serviceability of the milking unit;
• set low pressure and place cups on each nipple, ensuring a snug fit;
• during milking, increase the pressure;
• after the process is completed, feel the udder and, if necessary, manually milk the remaining milk;
• in conclusion, you need to wipe the nipples, the areas adjacent to them and grease them with petroleum jelly.

Thus, the correct use of the milking machine will greatly facilitate farm work and increase the efficiency of livestock farming.

Methods and technology of machine milking

There are only two ways to do milking:

• manually;
• machine milking.

Machine milking

Milking cows with machines also involves two methods:

• by means of a vacuum apparatus;
• by mechanically squeezing milk out of the animal's nipples (such mechanisms are practically not used, so they should not be considered a serious alternative to vacuum ones).

The milking procedure algorithm (for vacuum machines) includes several stages:

• stage of preparation (washing the udder and stimulating milk flow by massaging it; in the milking parlors, the preparation is automated, in “private” conditions, stimulation is carried out manually, and washing is done from a hose with a nozzle);
• milking stage (required to detect mastitis milk; carried out manually into a separate vessel with a filter or automatically; it is enough to milk 3-4 streams from each nipple);
• the stage of connecting the device (the device must be turned on and put on the glasses: first on the back, and then on the front nipples);
• milking stage (about 4-5 minutes; the process is terminated either automatically or manually when the empty udder begins to be sucked into the glasses);
• the stage of removing glasses (the hose through which milk flows must be closed, let air into the glasses and remove them).

Be sure to read: Pump NSh-32: device, connection diagram

If necessary, milking is carried out manually.

Rules for the safe use of the milking machine

The milking machine can be turned from a helper into a pest that degrades not only milking efficiency but also the health of the animal. The reason for this is ignorance of the rules of use. How to milk a cow correctly and what you need to consider first:

1. Livestock with an underdeveloped udder or with its non-standard shape for hardware milking is not suitable.
2. When milking, sanitary standards must be observed - dirty glasses should not be used, hands and udders should be washed.
3. You need to wash the udder only with warm water (+40-45 degrees), otherwise there will be no stimulation for milk flow.
4. The hardware milking procedure should not exceed 6 minutes!
5. Glasses can be removed only after air has been launched into them - it is strictly forbidden to tear them off!
6. Milking should not be chaotic - it should be done every day at the same time according to the same algorithm so that the animal does not experience stress.

The younger the animal is accustomed to the machine, the smoother the milking process will be. “Technically”, milking a cow is no different than milking other eligible animals. If the unit itself is unstable, you should refuse to use it.

Milking machine Farmer

Which milking machine to choose?

When choosing a milking device for a cow, an important factor is the type of machine , which involves the process of taking milk in several cycles. It is necessary to take into account the rate of return of milk, as well as the size of the udder of the animal.

When the cows that their owner will milk have approximately the same parameters, then you can buy two-stroke equipment for this. In other cases, it is best to give preference to three-stroke devices.

As we have already said, milking in several stages means that the animal can rest, however, milk production is slightly reduced. This issue needs to be taken very seriously. This is due to the fact that continuous milking without prior selection of cows can injure the udder .

When milk is collected at a distance from the farm or on pastures, it is desirable to give preference to mobile structures, which must necessarily have devices for cleaning products, and subsequently for cooling them.

When purchasing the device, it is necessary to check it on site. It is necessary to pay attention to the tension of the belts, their stitching, make sure that the collector is working properly, and also determine the presence of cracks on the pulsator. When the elements are made of plastic parts, it is necessary to carefully examine them at the joints.

In order to be able to endow the milking stationary device with certain functions, the assembly is made from separate parts . Why in the store it will be necessary to order specific parts so that they can be assembled together.

Assembling a milking machine for cows with your own hands

to make a milking machine for a cow with your own hands only if there are ready-made units , the use of improvised materials is unsafe for the animal and technically impossible. But, one way or another, in some cases, individual assembly is quite appropriate, as it can reduce the cost of the milking machine.

In addition, factory equipment often combines the excellent quality of some parts with significant shortcomings in others. During self-assembly in one device, it is possible to combine only high-quality components.

A little information about the choice of other elements can help not only those people who are planning to assemble a cow milking machine, but also those who decide to buy this device, to more thoroughly evaluate the characteristics of all the options offered.

Collector and pulsator

Working in a pair of "pulsator-collector", this equipment is designed to create vacuum and pressure . It is more economical to use improved pulse collectors, which are more efficient and cheaper.

Hanging knot

When choosing the elements of a suspension assembly, it is very important to take into account certain features. Glasses made of transparent material make it easier to control the process. The pad that adheres to the udder must be made of neutral rubber that is safe for the animal (one of the best options is rubber material).

Silicone suction cups firmly fix the glasses and make it possible to work in three-stroke and gentle (under reduced pressure) modes.

Bucket

Buckets for milking cows are made from different materials:

• made of food-grade plastic - cheap, do not rust, easy to clean, but short-lived;
• stainless steel - durable, but expensive;
• aluminum - not subject to oxidation and light.

Hygiene, cleaning and storage of the milking cluster

Step 15 Wash equipment after use.

Take a bucket of water with a couple cups of cleaning solution (better if the water is cold) and put the hanger of the milking cluster (without removing the liner) open end down in the bucket, then turn on the machine. The milking cluster will begin to suck water and cleaning solution through the hoses into the can until the bucket of cleaning solution is empty. Empty the can and repeat the procedure with ordinary clean water to clear the system of chemical residues.

Step 16 Store the milking unit in a warm, dry place until next use.

Milking machine "DeLaval"

For a private household with 3-5 cows, it is recommended to purchase the MMU 11 model. Milking speed 5 min. for 1 cow. When the milking time is reduced, the process becomes simple, the decision comes to expand the farm and acquire more animals. This situation is standard, so experienced business executives advise buying a DeLaval MMU 12. The device milks 2 cows at once.

DeLaval has a number of advantages. Its reliability and ease of maintenance are noted. The equipment is connected to a 220 V network, wait a minute for a pressure of 50 kPa to be established, glasses are put on the udder. The dairy highway is made of helium transparent material. You can easily control the start and end of milking. The volume of the can is 30 liters. It is plastic and transparent. It is not necessary to constantly open the lid to determine its fullness.

DeLaval works loudly, but there are no other shortcomings. Motor-electric dry type. No need to worry about oil leaking out of it. The device is delivered fully assembled. The only negative is the Swedish equipment: the price depends on the Euro exchange rate.

Overview of popular models

Consider the most popular models:

1. MRL-5 is used if the population does not exceed 5 units. There is a modification for milking goats (MDU-5k). Productivity – a suction of 200 l/min. The unit is 2-stroke, the pressure in the nipple space is 50 kPa. Weight - 15 kg. The cost is about 20 thousand rubles.
2. Melasti is a Turkish milking machine. 2-stroke, portable, with a pulsator (60 impulses/min.). Designed for a small number of livestock: it milks up to 12 cows per hour. Can volume - 20 l, weight - 44 kg. It costs 25-30 thousand rubles.
3. Delaval will be useful if the population is 3-5 units. Modification "DeLaval" MMU allows you to milk 2 cows at the same time. Working pressure - 50 kPa. Glasses are plastic, hoses are transparent. The volume of a plastic transparent can is 30 liters. This Swedish unit has two drawbacks: noise during operation and cost (about 70 thousand rubles).
4. AID-2 has a high productivity: 10 cows/hour. It can also be used to serve sheep and goats. Equipped with wheels, the tank is transparent. Used for small households.
5. Burenka is a milking machine for goats. The unit is portable, silicone cups, made of materials that are safe for health. It does not make noise during operation and does not frighten the animal. The price is about 400 dollars.
6. "Dairy Farm" is equipped with silicone cups, a can of 22.6 liters. Serves up to 10 cows per hour. Weight - 47 kg. There are many modifications.
7. "Farmer". Mobile unit equipped with two wheels. Designed for private use: milking speed - 10 cows / hour. Vacuum pump type - dry, creates a pressure of 48 kPa. Aluminum glasses. Can volume - 20 l, weight - 25 kg. You can buy a milking machine for 21-23 thousand rubles.
8. "Milk milker" works silently, does not require manual milking, since the glasses and hoses are transparent, mobile. Pressure - 40-50 kPa. Can capacity - 22.6 liters, weight - 52 kg.
9. "Volga" - a 3-stroke unit with a pulsator. Glasses, like most parts, are plastic. The capacity of the tank is 20 liters. The price is an average of 4 thousand rubles.

Be sure to read: 1 hour - how much is it

Milkline, Milka, Doyushka are very popular. The device of milking machines "Doyushka": the engine provides a 2-stroke mode (64-70 cycles / min), glasses with a transparent silicone insert, transparent hoses, it is impossible to milk two cows at the same time. Best suited for small numbers of herds with developed udders. What is the price? About 18 thousand rubles.

Milkline equipment

Apparatus for milking "Milkline" Italian production. The company constantly arranges promotions. Along with the milking equipment, a drinker and a feeder can be attached free of charge. Milkline Compact2STD is a milking machine for 2 cows.

Reviews on the forums say that the rate of milk intake is high. For 1 hour, milk is taken from 32 cows. Milk flows simultaneously into 2 containers. The volume of each can is 30 liters. It is made of transparent plastic. For milk tubes, food-grade plastic is used. Tubes are transparent. Dry type vacuum motor with graphite plates. Livestock breeders note the quiet operation of the device. A muffler is provided to reduce the noise motor.

Equipment with three-stroke milking. The phases of squeezing and expressing milk alternate with the rest phase. In this way, the calf sucks milk from the udder. Manufacturers have brought the mode of milk intake during machine milking as close as possible to the natural process of feeding calves. Maintenance of the unit is minimal: it is washed after each milking. The forums note the high performance of the machine, but it is necessary to check the udder after milking. Sometimes there is 200 grams of milk left.

Milka equipment

Milking machine "Milka" of Russian production. The warranty period is 12 months, but the equipment must be constantly looked after and preventive measures taken. The motor is oily and noisy. The forums say that milk sampling is effective. The milking speed of 1 cow is 8 minutes. Additional manual milking is not required. Some reviews speak of the instability of the Milka equipment. Oil flows out of the pump, gets on the belt and on the support frame.

Milking machine "Milka"

It takes a long time to reach a certain pressure. The Milka device does not injure the udder. There are silicone tips on the milking cups. The milk line is made of transparent plastic: it is convenient to control the amount of milk and the end of milking. The milk can and milking cups are made of stainless steel. To determine the filling of the can, you need to open the lid.

Apparatus "Burenka"

The equipment is made in Russia. Many farmers have purchased the device and do not regret it. On the forums, it is advised to buy a Burenka Tandem machine for milking 2 cows. 20 goals are served in 1 hour. One can for milk, made of food steel. Tubes for milk are made of transparent plastic. Inserts in milk glasses are made from it. Through transparent windows and tubes, it is easy to control the start and end of milking.

The forums note the stability of the equipment. Oil does not leak from the motor and pump, the pressure in the vacuum line is built up quickly. Special care is not required. It must be washed after milking. The device is inexpensive compared to foreign analogues, from 30 thousand rubles. Judging by the reviews, livestock breeders like to use the Burenka apparatus more than the Milka unit.

Apparatus "Doushka"

The Doyushka 1P model is designed for dairy cows with well-developed udders. The 1C modification apparatus is best used for heifers. Model 1KS is suitable for heifers and goats. When buying, you need to pay attention to the modification of equipment. "Doyushka" has proven itself well among farmers who have a small farm. The equipment is designed for simultaneous milking of 1 cow. Milk collection speed 5 min. in 1 cow.

The forums note the reliability of the equipment, but the motor is noisy. The device is simple and easy to use. There is no need to adjust the number of cycles. The pulsation depends on the operation of the piston pump: it creates 64-70 cycles per minute. The equipment works in two cycles: squeezing the nipple and expressing milk. There is no rest period. Milking cups with silicone insert, which makes milking comfortable for cows. The containers have a transparent insert. The milk line is made of transparent plastic. These elements allow you to exercise control over milking. All milk is taken from the udder, manual milking is not required.

The warranty period is one year. Operational period - more than 10 years. Cow owners note that there are no problems during the operation of the equipment. Spare parts are purchased from the manufacturer, but they are not required, the unit does not break. The technical data sheet describes preventive measures that must be carried out at a certain time. Equipment from a Russian manufacturer, cost from 18 thousand rubles.

Hardware milking

There are several types of milking machines. These machines are classified according to the principle of operation, device mobility and technical characteristics.

Many devices have a similar structure and consist of the following elements:

• tubes: one for air, others for transporting milk;
• milking cups. Four devices in the form of tubes attached to the nipples;
• pump;
• container for collecting milk;
• piston pump or pulsator, depending on the type of apparatus;
• collector.

The milking cups consist of a rubber inner chamber (nipple) and a metal tube. A sealed chamber appears between the two elements of the glass.

The principle of operation of the device is quite simple:

1. In the nipple chamber there is a constant pressure, which is formed with the help of a vacuum.
2. Squeezing the nipple provokes a pulsation of the vacuum.
3. When the same pressure is formed in the nipple and interwall chambers, then milk begins to come out of the nipple.

According to the classification of milk production, milking machines for cows are distinguished: squeezing and suction.

Device selection criteria

For large farms, there are devices that allow machine milking of animals in the amount of several dozen. During the operation of the device, he collects milk from all cows in one container through special tubes. The technology of milking is the same, but this method makes it possible to save time and effort of people.

Principle of use

It is useful for every owner of a cow to know how to milk a cow correctly with a milking machine. Features of machine milking:

1. As with hand milking, the udder must be washed and dried before starting work. Hands must also be kept clean. When performing a massage, they must be warm. Then you need to turn on the unit and wait a certain time until the required pressure appears in it.
2. Then, when the udder is massaged, the teat cups can be put on the teats. During the connection of the nipple and the glass, it is necessary to minimize the amount of air that enters the glass.
3. Milking a cow should take at least 5-10 minutes. When milk begins to come out, the pressure must be reduced. The best pulsation frequency is 40-55 cycles per minute, and the vacuum should be approximately 35-40 kPa.
4. Even during fully automated milking, operator supervision is still required. The owner is obliged to monitor both the behavior of the animal and the operation of the device. During the weakening of the milk flow, it is required to pull the collector down a little, and then return it to its original position. This manipulation makes it possible to milk completely milk from the udder.
5. The milking procedure is completed when the udder becomes sluggish and soft. At the end of the process, the device must be turned off. Glasses can be removed from the nipples only when the tubes are filled with the necessary amount of air. You can't break the fixtures early. There are models of units where, when the udder is empty, the cups are automatically disconnected.

Dry and pink nipples speak of a successful milking. After milking, you need to rinse the machine. This can extend its lifespan.

Apparatus AID1

The design of the milking equipment is simple, the operation does not require special skills. Milk is milked out without a trace. The unit is mobile, but it is not very convenient to move it: only one handle is adapted. Milking cups are placed on it. The pulsator is missing. The number of impulses created by the piston pump: their number is 66 per minute. The calf has to make 64 sucking movements when feeding. Pressure - 47 kPa: close to the optimal 50 kPa. The motor and pump are located on the platform of the support frame, on top of the wheels. The equipment is covered with a cover. This prevents oil from falling onto the can, frame or teat cups. There is a lot of noise when the engine is running.

Acquire AID1 for a small farm. The device is well suited for heifers. Milking speed 8 min - 1 cow. Animals quickly get used to machine milking. The forums say that the device is good. After 10 years of operation, the hoses and the rubber cuff in the teat cups are replaced. Spare parts are offered with the purchase of the device.

Cows are trained to machine milking. The unit is turned on at idle near the animal. Then produce manual milking. Next time you can put glasses on the udder. At first, it is better to be near the cow. When she is fully accustomed to the noise of the motor and the teat cups, she can be left unattended.

Apparatus AID1

Before buying milking equipment, collect and study information. Consider several types of installations. Which cow milking machine to buy depends on its characteristics, price line and feedback from people who already use machine milking. To do this, visit the forums of livestock breeders, ask for advice from experienced operators or milkmaids.

Varieties of milking machines

There are 2-stroke and 3-stroke milking systems. 3-stroke devices allow you to get the best milk yield due to the vacuum pressure change and the pause mode. The animal can rest, so the feeling of stress occurs less often. All units are automated in different ways. The portable device can serve both one individual and 20 pieces at the same time. Moreover, on farms with large livestock there are systems that milk up to hundreds of cows at once.

The modern market of milking machines offers us the following models: tact (expresses the nipple with an interval that imitates the sucking reflexes of a calf), three-tact (squeeze the nipple, express milk, then pause and again the same thing), asynchronous (first the rear nipples are expressed, then the front ones).

All these devices are divided into 2 types according to the type of engine:

1. Dry. The device is easy to use, weighs little, does not emit any emissions into the atmosphere.
2. Oil. It works silently, serves a large number of heads, and is inexpensive.

Vacuum pumps are divided into the following classes:

1. Piston - a large unit, noisy and therefore not very convenient.
2. Membrane - milks several cows at the same time, therefore it is used mainly in private households.
3. Rotary - almost no noise, easy to use.