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Create the perfect environment for your dairy cattle: Part 15:
Milking machine systems efficiency and milking robots T
he most important aspect concerning the efficient functioning of milking machine systems is vacuum stability. It is associated with positive milk removal from the udder with minimum irritation for the cow. Factors that play an important role are: Presence of milk bottles The presence of a milk bottle creates a vacuum reserve that suppresses vacuum fluctuations and therefore reduces udder damage and mastitis. Position of weighing bottles It is important that the bottle is as close as possible to the cow’s udder, and as close possible to the same level. Obstructions in the milk-flow path Any obstruction such as joints in milk 10
tubes, must be avoided. It causes turbulence and the milk becomes rancid. Pipeline height and length The milk tube must be as short as possible, have as few turns as possible and may not rise vertically while it is under a vacuum. The milking parlour must therefore be on a higher level than the milk room. After the milk is separated, that is at atmospheric pressure, it may be pumped to a cooling unit. Norms, sequence sizes and requirements in the planning of a milking machine system Vacuum provision • The vacuum pump size must
deliver a minimum of 100 m3/min free air per milking unit, therefore a 4-point tandem system must be 400 m3/min. 100 m3/ min free air gives 200 m3/ min expelled air. The airflow capacity of a vacuum pump drops with 4% for each 300 m rise above sea level. A maximum of eight elbows in the vacuum line between the vacuum pump and first milking point must be allowed. There must be zero constrictions in a vacuum line between the vacuum pump and the first milking point. The reserve airflow must be 40% of the pump capacity or higher. The restoration time must be less than four seconds.
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ProAgri Zambia 59
