The goat milking unit is quite simple. There are several varieties of such equipment. It must be used according to certain rules. When choosing a milking machine, a number of important criteria must be considered. You can make such equipment on your own.
The principle of operation of the device
Any milking machine imitates the sucking of the udder, that is, a natural process. Such imitation is provided by the creation of a vacuum.
The mechanism of operation of the equipment is provided by such constituent elements:
- Special glasses are put on the nipples of the animal. A goat milking parlor provides two glasses. Milking cups are supplied with clamps. Instead, silicone inserts or suction cups can be used. Vacuum in milking cups is provided with a special hose. For the manufacture of milking cups, metal or durable plastic can be used.
- The device necessarily provides for the presence of nipple rubber, and with three-stroke milking, also rings with a milk pipe. During milking operation, sucking alternates with compression. With three-stroke milking, rest is also provided.
- The operation of the milking machine is provided by the engine to which the pump is connected. Milk enters the reservoir through the milk hose. It can be a classic can or bucket with a lockable lid. The inner coating is hygienic.
- Both the milk and vacuum hose are inside the teat cup. A sealed inter-wall chamber separates them.
- The milking machine can be equipped with a pulsator or a pump with pistons. A pulsator is necessary to create pulsations in the inter-wall chamber. They provide compression of the nipples. The valve pump performs similar functions.
Varieties
Milking equipment may be push-pull or push-pull. The first device is simpler: the nipple is compressed, then milk is pumped out. In the case of a three-stroke apparatus, a break is performed between the two compressions. It is necessary to return the nipples of the animal to its natural state. This ensures the restoration of blood supply and reduces the risk of various health problems.
Goat milking machines also differ in engine type:
- Dry engine differs in noisy work and certain features when servicing. Its advantage over the oil engine is that it is not necessary to regularly add oil. Its work is provided by moving graphite or textolite plates inside the pump rotor. Periodically, they must be changed.
- Job oil engine provided by the constant movement of oil in the structure. Noise is much less. This option leaves the risk of oil getting into milk, which negatively affects the quality and taste characteristics of the product.
There are milking installations for goats household and industrial. Household equipment is smaller and is designed for milking one animal, while the industrial unit allows you to discuss several heads at the same time.
Should be considered separately manual milking equipment. It facilitates the maintenance of animals slightly, since it involves mechanical work. The pressure is forced manually or by foot pedal. The advantage of using manual milking machines is that the process is sterile.
Distinguish also stationary and mobile (mobile) milking equipment.
Terms of use
The milking machine for goats is simple enough, it is not difficult to use. This must be done in accordance with a number of rules:
- Equip a special place for milking. A goat is a restless animal, so this measure will greatly facilitate the work and reduce the time spent on it. It is recommended to organize a special machine, where you can fix the animal in a certain position. If possible, a milking area should be equipped with a feeder - this will calm the animal.
- Before each use of the milking machine, carry out its disinfection.
- Be sure to check the operation of the equipment before milking. Each teatcup should provide a vacuum.
- Before using the milking machine, it is mandatory to wash the udder of the animal. This should be done with a disinfectant solution. You can buy a ready-made product or make it yourself (more often iodine is taken as the basis).
- Before using the milking machine, it is recommended to milk a little milk in a separate bowl, using gauze for filtering. This filter must be carefully inspected. If curd lumps or filamentous inclusions are found, then you need to contact a veterinarian. The goat needs to be milked, the device after it is disinfected, milk cannot be used.
- Milking cups must be kept warm before use, especially if they are made of metal. If you use cold devices, you can provoke stress in the animal.
- Milking cups should be worn when the pressure is low. You need to raise it already during milking, and do it gradually.
- Pressure should also be reduced gradually as milking is completed. The process is approaching the end by the intensity of milk flow into the tank. Gradually, it begins to decline, as the udder is emptied.
- When milk no longer flows through the milk hose, the suspension unit must be completely disconnected.
- At the end of the hardware milking, it is important to monitor the timely shutdown of the equipment. If this is not ensured, then the goat may dry milking, which is fraught with injury.
- At the end of the process, probing the udder of the animal for milk residues is mandatory. If they are found, you should resort to manual milking, and then check the serviceability of the milking machine.
- After each use, the milking machine must be thoroughly washed.
- After milking, the animal’s nipples should be wiped or treated using a disinfectant. When the animal returns to the herd, it is imperative to provide it with fresh hay and water.
About how many liters of milk a goat can give, read in the next article.
Which milking machine to choose?
It is better to choose a three-stroke milking machine. It costs more, but its principle of operation is as close as possible to the natural sucking of the udder.
When choosing between dry and oil equipment, it is important to consider that for the latter it is always necessary to have a supply of oil. Such an engine makes much less noise, which is very important for shy and nervous goats. Oil-based equipment may not start in too cold weather.
If you equip a milking machine, then you can use stationary equipment. If you need to organize the process on a pasture, you should get a mobile device.
When choosing household or industrial equipment, you need to focus on the number of goals. An industrial device is suitable when maintenance requires more than a dozen animals.
When buying a milking machine of any type and brand, it is necessary to check its serviceability and the availability of all necessary components. All nodes must be securely fixed, the operating instructions must be attached to the equipment. The manufacturer must give a guarantee on their products.
Browse Popular Models
On the market there are various milking machines manufactured in Russia and neighboring countries. The following models are popular:
- Mayga. This push-pull milking machine is stationary. The pump is not provided - you can buy it or connect the device to existing equipment. When changing milking cups, the machine can be used for cows. The can is designed for 18 liters. The device makes 60 pulsations per minute. The cost of this model is about 7300 rubles. Her weight is 7.5 kg.
- Doyushka. This milking unit is mobile. At an o'clock she allows to serve up to 10 animals. Several configuration options are available. The can volume is 22.6 liters, the apparatus makes 64 pulsations per minute. The cost of this model is approximately 22,000 rubles. It weighs 45 kg.
- Hades 2. This milking unit is mobile and can be made of aluminum or stainless steel. Serves up to 10 goals per hour. The can is designed for 19 liters. The device makes 61 pulsations per minute. The average cost of equipment is 25,500 rubles. It weighs 60 kg.
- Burenka. The device is mobile, serves up to 15 animals per hour. Can for 22.6 liters. Such equipment costs about 19,000 rubles, and weighs 45 kg.
- ADE-02. Such push-pull equipment is mobile. The milking bucket is designed for 20 liters. Without a break, you can milk 3 goats, with a minimum interval of 5 animals. The cost of the device is 23500 thousand rubles, it weighs 34 kg.
All listed models have a 12-month warranty. The equipment is certified.
Do-it-yourself milking machine for goats
Milking equipment can be done on their own. To do this, stock up on certain materials:
- Pump. For independent manufacture of the milking machine, you can use both a vacuum and an oil pump.
- Engine. It can be manual, mechanical or electrical. The choice is usually based on your own financial capabilities.
- Pulsator The optimum frequency is 60 pulsations per minute.
- Hoses It is better to choose transparent hoses made of polypropylene. They withstand high temperatures well, so hot water can be used for washing. Another plus is that milk is clearly visible in a transparent hose, therefore it is easier to control the milking process and determine its completion.
- Milking glasses. The best option is transparent plastic. This is a fairly durable material, and its transparency again provides a visual process. The size of the glasses is also important - the nipples of the animal should be tightly covered, but not squeeze them strongly.
- Silicone nozzles. This device provides better contact between the teat cups and the udder of the animal.
- Capacity for milk. It has certain hygiene requirements. An enameled container or stainless steel cookware is commonly used.
For the manufacture of the milking machine on its own, minimal technical knowledge is needed. When choosing components and their assembly, you should focus on existing equipment models - all the parameters in them are selected correctly.
You can also make a manual milking machine on your own. To do this, you will need:
- medical syringes - 2 pieces are needed, the volume should be oriented to the size of the nipples of the animal (on average 60 ml);
- hoses - it is better to use devices made of silicone;
- tee for tubes;
- hose clamps;
- nuts
- fitting made of plastic;
- can with a metal screw cap;
- manual vacuum pump.
To assemble such a milking machine is quite simple:
- Remove pistons from syringes.
- Attach short silicone tubes instead of needles.
- Using a tee, connect the short silicone tubes to the longer hose.
- Fasten the nuts to the metal roof.
- Attach silicone hoses to the cover: one goes to the branch to the syringes, the pump is connected to the other.
This design is extremely easy to assemble and operate. It is easy to disassemble, which allows you to quickly wash all the necessary parts. If any element breaks down, replacing it is very simple. The most expensive part is the hand pump.
A goat milking machine is a useful equipment on the farm. It greatly facilitates the work of the farmer. You can purchase one of the models of finished equipment or make it yourself. In any case, the milking machine involves a specific device and principle of operation.