Content
Reviews of milking machines for cows help cattle owners and farmers choose the best models from the equipment on the market. All units are arranged and work practically according to the same principle. Design features are inherent in each model, and it is this nuance that is taken into account when choosing.
What are the milking machines
To understand the difference between different types of milking machines for cows, you need to know the basic device.
Any milking machine has:
- Glasses consisting of a body and an elastic insert. The milking element is placed on each teat of the udder.
- Non-toxic polymer hoses for milk transport, air injection.
- Cans are usually used from aluminum or stainless steel. In household appliances, containers hold from 19 to 25 liters of milk.
- The pulsator, pump and collector are the main mechanisms of the apparatus. The knots create a pulsating air pressure, due to which milking is carried out.
Initially, all milking machines operated on a push-pull system. Milking was carried out by squeezing the teats by pulsating vibrations of the elastic inserts of the glasses. For cows, this method of pumping milk is not very comfortable. Modern equipment operates on a three-stroke system. The elastic teat cup insert compresses and unclenches the nipple and maintains a rest pause between actions. For the animal, the process resembles hand milking or natural sucking of the udder by a calf.
According to the method of milking cows, the machines are divided into two types:
- suction;
- clutch release.
The first type of milking installations, due to the work of a vacuum pump, sucks milk. Pressure is generated inside the elastic inserts of the cups. The milk starts to flow. When air in the system is replaced by vacuum, the differential pressure compresses the cup inserts. The nipples contract and the milk stops flowing.
Milking systems for squeezing action milk the milk by mechanical compression of the teats of the cow. The equipment creates high pressure and vacuum in its system. The installations are noisy, but the cows adapt over time.
Milking machines express milk simultaneously from all teats of a cow or alternately in pairs. The type of milking is selected according to the age of the animal. For an old cow, the continuous method is suitable. Two- or three-stroke milking is acceptable for a young animal.
Industrial and household units differ in performance. For private use, milking equipment is usually mobile, small in size with simple controls. Industrial installations often require connection to fixed milk collection tanks. The equipment is equipped with an automatic control that allows you to select an individual mode for each cow.
The classification of milking machines is different by the type of engine used:
- Dry-type motors are environmentally friendly, easy to operate and maintain. The downside is considered to be weak resistance to moisture. It is important to prevent moisture from entering the engine during storage. Dry motors run noisily, with increasing load they tend to overheat.
- Oil motors are quiet. The unit does not bother the cows, it is resistant to high loads. The downside is the complexity of the service. The oil level must be constantly maintained in the engine.In the cold, it can freeze, and after wear of the working units, it can flow out of the body. The engine starts hard to start, the milking equipment becomes clogged with oil.
The vacuum pump is responsible for the actual milking of the cow. By design and operation, the node is of three types:
- Diaphragm pumps are usually installed on budget machines for private use or a small farm. These milking machines are designed for a maximum of 3 cows.
- Piston-type pumps are characterized by increased power. The unit is often installed on industrial devices. The pump has impressive dimensions, works with a lot of noise, and is prone to overheating.
- Rotary pumps of dry and oil type are considered universal and are most often found in modern milking installations. The equipment works quietly, does not disturb the animals.
All types of milking machines are designed to work under specific conditions. This nuance must be taken into account when making a choice.
The video shows a farm:
Which type of milking machine is better - dry or oily
An experienced farmer purposefully chooses a milking machine for his cows. To understand an inexperienced person between a dry and an oil apparatus, you need to know the features of their structure and operation.
Dry vacuum pumps have graphite blades. They are weakly subject to wear, are cheap, but they are afraid of dampness. Additionally, the following points can be highlighted from the advantages:
- easy maintenance;
- environmental friendliness due to the absence of oil emission;
- light weight;
- easy pump start-up regardless of temperature conditions;
- no risk of butter contamination of milk.
The main disadvantage is considered to be noisy work. In cows of shy breeds, milk yield decreases, animals behave aggressively.
Oil pumps work stably as long as the oil level is maintained in the system, there is no leakage. The equipment has four undeniable advantages:
- quiet work;
- resistance to overheating from load;
- simultaneous milking of several cows;
- long service life due to less wear of rubbing parts that are constantly in the oil.
However, oil pumps have many drawbacks:
- it is difficult and sometimes impossible to start in severe frosts;
- the oil level must be constantly monitored, periodically topped up, which leads to unnecessary costs;
- in case of oil release, the surrounding area, equipment and milk are polluted.
It is very difficult to determine by the merits and demerits which of the pumps is better. The choice of model depends on the intended conditions of use. Each milking machine is no worse or better, but is designed to fulfill its task.
When choosing between an oil and a dry pump, they are guided by the following indicators:
- Service staff. It is easier for one milkmaid to transport a mobile dry apparatus. For a complex crew, a unit with an oil pump is suitable.
- Number of cows. A dry-type plant will do for small numbers of livestock, but it won't do it on a large farm. If there are more than 20 cows, then only equipment with an oil pump will provide quick milking.
- Service availability. If a person is poorly versed with technology, there is no free time, preference is given in favor of a dry milking installation.
- Life time. The oil reduces wear of rubbing parts, reduces the likelihood of pump overheating from loads. The equipment will last much longer than dry-type counterparts, even if stored in high humidity conditions.
- Breeds of cows. Animals are characterized by fearfulness, which affects the decrease in milk yield. If cows are afraid of noise, it is better to refuse a dry installation.
Having carried out an accurate analysis of all the nuances, it will be possible to correctly determine the choice of the model.
The video compares different types of milking machines:
How to choose a milking machine
To make the right choice of a milking installation, you need to clearly define three questions:
- financial opportunities;
- features of the breed of cows;
- farm needs.
For a small number of cows, the simplest machines with two-stroke milking are chosen. Three-stroke milking machines are expensive. The equipment is used on large farms. Milking of cows can be done in the pasture or in the barn. If the first option is not excluded, equipment mobility is preferred. The main criterion for choosing a model is the type of pump.
Rating of milking machines for cows
Each farmer has his own opinion about which are the best milking machines and which ones should be discarded. A novice livestock breeder can be guided by advice, reviews and model ratings:
- Italian equipment "Milkline" was appreciated from the best side by farmers who prefer European quality. Quiet operation allows the cow to be milked in the presence of the calf. Depending on the model, the machine is capable of serving from 1 to 35 cows.
- The Delaval milking machine shown in the photo is equipped with a double-level vacuum pump. The presence of electronics for monitoring the milking of cows, data transmission to the control panel gives the right to equate the equipment with a professional type. The unit is equipped with a milk sampling unit and can be connected to the pipeline of a stationary system. The milking machine is intended for a farm with a large number of cows.
- Domestic brand "Uda" is represented by models 8a, 16a, 32, Herringbone and Tandem. The main difference is power, the ability to serve a certain number of cows. The milking machine, depending on the model, is capable of serving from 100 to 350 cows. At the factory, the unit is connected with a milk pipe to a stationary milk receiver.
- For a private courtyard, the Veles apparatus is considered an excellent choice. The equipment is used for one cow. Up to 8 heads can be serviced in turn. Milking time for 1 cow is about 10 minutes. The silent process does not scare the calf.
- Domestic equipment manufacturer Doyushka produces milking machines for cows, goats, horses and even sheep. In private use, the 1P and 1C models are popular. On large farms, powerful milking installations are used, designed to milk at least 10 cows per hour.
- The Burenka mobile device is similarly produced by a domestic manufacturer. The equipment can be easily transported on wheels even across the meadow to the milking point. The connection is made to the outlet. The installation is capable of serving up to 15 cows.
- The popular brand "Moya Milka" presented 10 types of milking equipment. Models differ in performance, complete with a can of aluminum or stainless steel. Quiet milking, which does not frighten the calf, is considered a big plus.
- For farms with livestock from 50 to 400 cows A professional complex "Molokoprovod" has been developed. The equipment performs milking, filtration and pumping of milk, transportation to the stationary container of the plant. Primary collection is carried out in a 50 liter tank.
The milking equipment rating is based on feedback from farmers and ordinary cow owners. If other firms are not on the list, then they are not worse. The equipment must be selected on demand, and the rating is only an auxiliary tool.
Conclusion
Reviews of milking machines for cows are of a different nature. Some people are happy with the purchase, while others are upset. There are a lot of reasons: inability to use, the wrong choice of model, or vice versa, it was lucky to purchase exactly the unit that facilitated the maintenance of the cows.
