1. An Introduction to what they are, how they work, and their parts
Milking Machines
An Introduction to
what they are,
how they work,
and their parts
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2. What is a Milking Machine?
A machine for harvesting milk from the udders of cows, goats, bison, sheep or animals.
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3. Milk Harvesting Milk harvesting is the process of
extracting milk from animals
Transporting the milk to a storage tank
Storing the milk until it is picked up for processing.
Milk is usually cooled during storage
Milk harvest requires cooperative effort between :
The animal and
The operator
And a properly functioning milking machine
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4. Milking Machine Goals
A properly designed, installed, maintained, and operated milking machine will:
Remove milk from the animal quickly and gently
Not contribute to poor udder health
Not degrade milk quality from the time of removal to delivery
Be easy to clean and sanitize
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5. Milking Machine Components
A milking machine is made up of several basic component groups
Milking units
Vacuum production and control system
Milk transport system
Cleaning and sanitation systems
Milk Cooling and Storage systems
Although not part of the milking machine itself, the milking machine always delivers milk to a storage container
And milk is usually cooled on the farm
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6. Lets start with the big picture and see how these components fit together
Not a good example for NZ or Australia. Better to have a typical herringbone.
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7. Lets have a closer look at the milking unit
The milking unit is made up of several parts
4 Teatcups (for cows)
A soft rubber liner that is mounted in a metal or plastic shell
The soft rubber liner is the only part of the machine that touches the udder
The claw
Collect milk from all of the teatcups
The Pulsator
An air valve that creates ‘pulsation’ or the opening and closing of the liner
Connecting tubes
Short milk tube = liner to claw
Long milk tube = claw to milkline
Short pulse tube = shell to air fork
Long pulse tube = air fork to pulsator
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8. Lets see how we get milk out of a cow
Vacuum is applied to the inside of the liner to withdraw milk from each teat and keep the machine attached to the cow
When the pulsation chamber is under a vacuum, the liner is open and milk flow starts
Atmospheric pressure is the applied to the pulsation chamber and the liner closes. Milk flow stops and the teat is massaged to reduce congestion
Too many words, and too complicated. Remember KISS, and the target audience – people who may not have had any prior contact with milking and milking machines.
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9. Lets look at how air and milk move through the machine
Blue= Air Red= Milk Violet= Air+Milk
Too much info on one slide.
Milk and Air flowing from the receiver into the sanitary trap presents a few problems!
Need to mention variable speed vacuum pump drives as well as regulators.
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10. So here we are back at the start. QUIZ TIME!!!
Q: What is a Milking Machine?
A: A machine for harvesting milk from the udders of cows, goats, bison, sheep or animals.
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11. Can you identify the milking unit?
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12. Q: Can you identify these parts of the milking unit?
Claw
Liner
Shell
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13. Q: Can you identify these parts of the milking machine?
Milkline
Receiver
Milk Pump
Vacuum Pump
Vacuum Regulator
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