Milking machines, or machines, are used for machine milking of different breeds of cows. Thanks to this equipment, the process of extracting milk from the udder of cattle is simplified. Machine milking, that is, technology, allows you to save on labor costs and does not harm the cows, but, on the contrary, increases milk yield. Milking machines are used in large and small farms.
What is the device?
A milking machine is a special device that is used for milking cows. In small farms, mobile household models are used, and in large livestock complexes, industrial (with automatic control) stationary units are used.
Despite the variety, milk is taken from the cow by each product under the influence of vacuum (rarefaction). The device consists of a vacuum unit and milking equipment. During milking, cows may be in stalls or in pens that use different patterns (parallel, radial, series). The simplest milking machine is equipped with the following elements:
- glasses (4 pieces);
- milk and air ducts;
- cans for collecting milk;
- motor, pump, manifold, pulsator.
Node purpose:
- glasses (plastic or metal) with rubber tubes inside - devices for attaching the udder to the teats and milking;
- milk lines - hoses connected to each glass serve to suck out milk;
- pipelines - hoses connected to each glass serve to supply vacuum;
- vacuum unit (electric motor, pump) - designed to create a rarefaction of air (vacuum) necessary for the milking process;
- pulsator - a valve for alternately supplying air and vacuum into the pulsation chamber of the milking cup;
- collector - for distributing vacuum among glasses and collecting milk.
Manufacturers produce milking equipment with different operating principles. For example, two-stroke and three-stroke. The two-stroke device usually works on the principle of compression and suction of milk. The three-stroke system is easier to tolerate by animals, and it has an additional rest mode.
In simple machines, milk is collected in cans; in industrial installations, milk flows through milk pipelines into special tanks.
The heart of every milking machine is a motor that rotates a vacuum pump that creates a constant vacuum. Under the influence of vacuum passing through pipelines and atmospheric air, milk is sucked out. To create a variable vacuum from a constant vacuum, a pulsator is used. Each element included in the device ultimately serves to suck milk from the cow's udder.
Principle of operation
How the technology works:
- the installation operates from the mains;
- a vacuum unit creates a rarefaction of air (vacuum);
- in the process of creating a vacuum, an electric motor and a pump are involved;
- the muffler reduces the noise level during operation of the unit;
- the vacuum regulator maintains the required pressure in the system;
- inside the pipeline the air pressure becomes lower than the external (atmospheric) pressure;
- the pulsator converts constant vacuum pressure into alternating pressure;
- air is pumped into the collector with a pulsation frequency of 45-65 cycles per minute;
- each pulsation consists of a contraction and relaxation cycle;
- vacuum pressure is supplied to the milking cup placed on the nipples;
- thanks to the pulsator, the rubber inside the glass is relaxed and compressed;
- the milk flows through the milk line into the can;
- Depending on the type of device, cattle can be milked in stalls or pens.
A vacuum pump pumps out air to create a vacuum. The pressure inside the pipeline decreases. The vacuum activates the pulsator. The compression of the rubber inside the milking cups depends on this element of the milking machine.Ultimately, the cups of milking equipment work (milk milk) thanks to the pulsator and the alternate supply of ordinary air and rarefied vacuum into the pulsation chamber. The selected milk flows through the milk line into the can.
Advantages and disadvantages
Types of milking machines
All machines for machine milking of cattle are classified depending on the structure and constituent elements. The simpler the technology, the lower its cost.
By motor and pump type
The following types of vacuum units (pump type) are used in milking machines:
- membrane (budget option for 1-3 cows);
- rotary (reliable, silent);
- centrifugal (expensive);
- piston (powerful, noisy).
By type of milking
Based on the principle of operation (type of milking), the following installations are distinguished:
- two-stroke - suction stroke and compression stroke (high speed);
- three-stroke - the cycle of sucking, squeezing and resting (meets the physiological needs of animals);
- four-stroke - squeeze-suck, squeeze-rest (more gentle mode and low milking speed).
By purpose of application
Types of equipment depending on purpose (conditions of use):
- stationary for milking cattle in stalls, milking parlors, on conveyor lines;
- mobile (carried manually or using a trolley) for individual milking.
Types of equipment depending on the type of animal:
- for milking cows (4 glasses);
- for milking goats (2 cups).
Popular models
Common stationary installations:
- “Tandem” - serves 50-250 cows standing sideways in individual pens;
- “Herringbone” - serves 150-600 heads, animals stand in a row (at an angle) in separate sections;
- “Parallel” - serves 500-1200 heads, cows stand in separate sections, with their backs to the machine.
Popular portable models and their characteristics:
- “Volga” (three-stroke) - a device with two-chamber glasses, an improved pulsator and a vacuum pump;
- “Burenka” (two-stroke) - lightweight and low-cost design, easy to use, has a rotary vacuum pump;
- “Berezka” (two-stroke) - a device with a rotary pump (designed to serve 12 cows);
- “AID” (two-stroke) - a design weighing 42 kg, with a vacuum pump, pulsator, designed to serve 7 cows.
Device selection criteria
Owners of one cow or a small herd can buy a budget portable milking machine for just $200. This is usually a two-stroke piston unit. Three-stroke devices using a vacuum rotary pump are considered more expensive. For a large herd under stationary milking conditions, a special automatic milking unit is installed in the barn, allowing 50 or more cows to be milked simultaneously.
Assembly and installation of the device
If the milking equipment is powered by an electric motor, then, first of all, you need to connect an outlet to the milking place on the farm.It is advisable to choose a dry place, protected from moisture. Before milking, you need to connect all the elements of the milking machine using the instructions or operating manual for the specific model.
Equipment ready for operation must have all vacuum and milk hoses connected to their connectors. The device is turned on by pressing the “Start” button. Before use, it is recommended to adjust the pressure in the system using a vacuum regulator. You can put your finger in the milking cup and feel the pulsation of the rubber. It is recommended to wash the machine before using it for milk collection.
Rules for using equipment
If previously the animals were milked by hand, they will need to be accustomed to machine milking. Before using the milking machine, cattle are examined for the presence of mastitis. Animals with udder diseases are milked by hand until they are healthy.
Not every cattle can be milked using technology. Only those cows with a cup-shaped udder located from the floor at a distance of 40-60 cm are suitable for machine milking. The length of the teat should be 5-9 cm, and the diameter should be 2-3.2 cm. All quarters of the udder should be well developed.
Initially, cattle are accustomed to the noise of an electric milking machine and its appearance. During the preparatory period, cows continue to be milked by hand. The milking machine is connected only for 3-5 days. Machine milking should be done at the same time as hand milking. The interval between the milk collection process should be at least 5 hours.
Before milking, check the operation of the equipment, vacuum level, and pulsation frequency. In cold weather, the milking cups are warmed up. Before milking, the udder and teats are washed with warm water and blotted with a towel.Before putting the glasses on, squeeze out 2-3 streams of milk (to stimulate the milk ejection reflex). The udder preparation process can last 30-60 seconds. When the cow lets out milk, milking can begin.
During the milking process, it is advisable to monitor the behavior of the cows and how the milk flows through the hose into the can. If the glasses fall off, the equipment is turned off, the cups are rinsed and put back on. After milking, disconnect the machine from the vacuum and remove the glasses one by one. It is recommended to flush all hoses in working condition by pumping water. Milking machines used for milking cows at home save time. Milking lasts about 7 minutes (instead of 30 minutes with manual milking).
