The profitability of many farms is based on the sale of not only whole milk, but also dairy products. Special equipment facilitates the processing of products, and how to assemble a manual or electric milk separator is indicated in the attached instructions. For milk processing in large farms, it is advisable to use electric models.
Purpose of the separator
When the device operates, different fractions of milk are released. The main element of any design is the drum.Fat milk is separated into skim milk and cream under the influence of centrifugal forces, while the liquid is further purified.
An electric separator will help you separate the cream efficiently and quickly. Small volumes of milk can be passed through a Soviet-style mechanical device. A manual separator does an excellent job of preparing butter from cream or sour cream.
How to assemble a milk separator
Manufacturers offer the separator in disassembled form for purchase. The device is assembled in several stages.
- The drum is mounted on the motor shaft. To check that there is no distortion, the drum is rotated several times.
- Install a pair of drains (one of the parts with a small groove is placed at the bottom, aligning the groove with the recess on the body).
- Put on the float chamber by placing a white plastic disk (float) inside.
- Install a large container-bowl for milk.
Installing the stopcock is the final stage. The part looks like a plastic tube with an L-shaped handle on one side and a hole on the other that opens or closes the milk flow from the bowl.
Dismantling and assembling the separator drum
Regular operation of the device requires periodic cleaning of the filter and drum from accumulated deposits. The disassembly and assembly procedure is performed in the following sequence:
- use a wrench to unscrew the drum, then remove the cover from the body;
- the plates are removed, washed and wiped dry;
- take out the drum seal, rinse and wipe;
- to wash the separating plate, a bolt is screwed into the upper cone of the drum to regulate the fat content;
- The drum must be assembled in the reverse order, installing and carefully fixing all components.
The owner of the device determines the cleaning periods independently. But this procedure should not be neglected. As accumulated deposits degrade product quality, vibration will increase.
How to adjust the separator drum?
You can adjust the fat content of the cream using a special adjusting bolt. A special wrench is used to adjust the drum by turning the bolt. To obtain a product with maximum fat content, you need to tighten the bolt all the way and turn it slightly in the opposite direction. But it must be taken into account that to obtain thick cream, the separator can operate continuously for no more than 10-17 minutes. Then you need to flush the system, since the drum and plates become clogged with grease.
When adjusting the drum, you need to take into account that obtaining the required product is also affected by the temperature of the poured milk (recommended temperature range is 30-40 ° C). Sometimes, when processing very rich milk, the adjusting bolt quickly becomes clogged. The optimal setting option in this case is to completely unscrew the bolt and process the milk without it.
How does the device work?
Rotating, the drum creates a centrifugal force, under the influence of which the milk is separated in the inter-plate space. In this case, the fat is collected in the center, and the watery part is discarded. At the same time, both cream and skim milk move up the drum, then flowing into special receivers.
Naturally, the separation procedure occurs faster when the drum rotates at high speeds.
How to choose a milk separator?
When choosing models, you need to consider the pros and cons of each type of separator (mechanical and electrical). The manual unit is inexpensive and allows you to process 40-50 liters of milk per hour. This is the best choice for farms with a small number of cows. The fat content of the resulting products is set manually.
Among the minuses, it should be noted the need to use manual labor, the low speed of rotation of the drum (8.5-10 thousand rpm).
The advantages of electric models are obvious: high productivity (from 80 liters of milk per hour), the presence of sensors for adjusting the fat content of products, and the function of disinfecting dairy products. The higher cost compared to manual units can be considered a minus.
How to use?
To ensure that the quality of the final product does not disappoint, it is advisable to follow the instructions when using the equipment. To process milk on a separator, several steps are taken step by step:
- The device is installed on the table. Using a special key, adjust the creamer in height to obtain the desired fat content;
- Warmed or fresh milk is poured into the bowl. As soon as the electric separator drum spins up at full speed (after 30-35 seconds), open the receiver tap;
- after processing the entire volume of milk, 2.5-3 liters of heated water are passed through the separator, washing the residues;
- then the equipment is turned off, disassembled and all components are thoroughly washed with a brush and brush. Assembly (in reverse order) begins after all elements have dried.
In order for the equipment to serve for a long time, you need to follow the recommendations for use specified by the manufacturer. Periodic lubrication of the adjusting bolt is an important rule for the operation of both electric and manual separators.
When choosing different models of equipment, you need to compare all performance characteristics. Since these parameters affect the quality of dairy products. But it must be taken into account that heavy loads and poor cleaning of parts also play a role.
