Homemade milking machine for cows

If there are 3-4 cows on a farm, it is difficult to milk them manually. The process takes a long time. There is a danger that the lactation regime will be disrupted. The cow will produce less milk every day. Devices will help replace manual labor and speed up the collection of milk from animals. Some cattle owners prefer to make a milking machine for cows with their own hands. Experts warn that it is better to purchase the basic elements for installation in stores rather than assemble them from scrap materials.

The operating principle of the milking machine

Before you understand the principle of operation and begin manufacturing, you need to understand what main components the milking machine consists of:

milking cups – 4 pieces;
hoses for pumping milk and pumping air;
metal milk collector;
pump with electric motor;
collector.

Depending on the model, the device is equipped with a pulsator or a piston pump works instead. The second type of unit consists of a set of valves that are equipped with a milk collector (can) and a pump. Their alternate operation is associated with the direction of movement of the piston.

Milking cups have a complex structure. The basis is a metal or plastic case. There are rubber inserts inside. The elastic element tightly covers the cow's udder teats. There is a sealed chamber between the body and the inserts.

Two hoses are connected to each glass. A thick tube for suctioning milk is connected to a rubber insert. A thin hose is connected to the body of the glass. Air is forced through it into the sealed chamber.

The operating principle of a push-pull installation is as follows:

The glasses are placed on the cow's udder teats and the pump is turned on;
Initially, low pressure is maintained inside the rubber insert of the cup (the nipple chamber). When the pump activates the pulsator or valve (depending on the design), the vacuum begins to pulsate. With the simultaneous formation of low pressure in the sealed interwall and sub-mammary chamber, milk flows out of the cow's udder teat.
Thick hoses carry the milk through a manifold into the can.

The flow of milk stops when the pressure inside the inter-wall sealed chamber equalizes to atmospheric pressure.

Almost all units are vacuum and operate on the same principle. Specifications and details differ for different models.

There is such a thing as discontinuous milking. The principle of a push-pull milking machine is based on the constant suction of milk from the cow's udder. The unit has only two operating modes: milk suction and nipple compression. Three-stroke devices work on a similar principle, only there is a third rest mode. For a cow, this option is physiologically more convenient, as it resembles hand milking.

Most modern milking machines are push-pull. They are lighter and easier to transport. Three-stroke models are powerful, usually permanently installed.

The devices differ in the way they milk a cow:

Suction models suck out milk using a vacuum. The advantage of the technology is the careful treatment of the cow's teats and udder itself. The process closely resembles manual milking.
Squeeze models operate using vacuum and additional excess pressure.

Suction devices are produced on an industrial scale, and squeezing units are made to order.

Milking units differ according to the method of transporting milk. At home and on small farms, mobile devices with a can are used. On large farms, milk is collected in a large stationary container and transported through long pipelines.

Compression stroke

After the valve has stopped the spread of vacuum, oxygen begins to flow into the interwall chamber. This leads to normalization of pressure. Normal atmospheric pressure presses on the outer wall of the cup. The nipple rubber begins to compress the nipple, which leads to a massage effect. When the pressure in the area of the pulsator membrane is normalized, it begins to sag. This causes the valve to rise. In the raised position, the valve restricts the flow of oxygen, which gives rise to a new stroke of sucking.

Pros and cons of a home milking machine versus a purchased one

Having decided to make a milking machine at home, you need to compare the pros and cons of a homemade and factory-made unit. Based on the results, make a final decision.

lower cost if you assemble the units yourself at home;
the ability to adjust the milking machine layout with your own hands to suit your needs;
assembly of units taking into account personal requirements;
independent future maintenance of the milking unit and its repair at home.

there is no guarantee of reliable operation of the device, gentle milking of the cow’s udder;
To properly install components at home, you need knowledge and experience;
the savings are small, since all components will have to be purchased;
installation of complex parts will require technical decisions.

Advantages of a factory-made milking unit:

guaranteeing reliable operation of the device, reducing the risk of injury to the cow’s udder;
manufacturer's warranty service;
the purchased installation is immediately ready for operation without testing procedures;
aesthetic appearance, compactness of the device.

Disadvantages of a factory-made machine for milking cows:

the high price is not always affordable for a private cow owner;
some design components may not meet consumer requirements;
Sometimes you will have to invite a service center representative for service;
Post-warranty repairs are more expensive for the owner.

After weighing all the pros and cons, it will be easier to decide what is better, make a manual milking machine or buy a ready-made unit.

Improving conditions of detention

When breeding small ruminants for milk, milking is no less important than proper care of the animals. Immediately after purchasing goats, the farmer should:

study the habits and characteristics of each individual in order to select the best milking modes for them;
provide pets with specialized nutrition, which can significantly increase lactation. Don’t forget about the required amount of vitamins in the feed, food supplements, etc.;
implement and strictly adhere to a feeding schedule;
organize favorable living conditions, which include a warm barn, compliance with sanitary standards, cleanliness, etc.

Since the milk fat content of goats of different breeds is somewhat different, they also plan in advance what kind of additional production can be organized on the farm. For example, it is better to use milk with a high percentage of fat to make all kinds of cheese.

Source

How to make a milking machine with your own hands

To assemble a homemade product at home, you first need to buy all the components. You will need:

vacuum type pump;
hanging mechanism;
pulsator;
can;
a set of hoses for pumping milk and pumping air.

After purchasing all the parts, they begin to develop the project. You can take a factory milking machine as a basis. The diagram is completely copied or their own adjustments are made. First of all, the design of the frame is determined, and then all the components are placed on it.

The functionality of the cow milking machine depends on the choice of components. The unit must comply with the technical specifications. Quality will affect longevity of use. It is advisable to pay attention to cost. Some spare parts from domestic manufacturers are not inferior in characteristics to imported analogues, but are cheaper.

The vacuum pump is the main working unit of a homemade device. The quality of milk suction from the cow's udder teat depends on its work. The choice of pumps is huge. First of all, preference is given to trusted manufacturers. According to the pricing policy, they choose the golden mean. A high-quality pump cannot be cheap. The unit is too expensive and difficult to provide post-warranty service.

Review of popular models

Let's look at the most popular models:

MDU-5 is used if the population does not exceed 5 units. There is a modification for milking goats (MDU-5k). Productivity – suction 200 l/min. The unit is 2-stroke, the pressure in the nipple space is 50 kPa. Weight – 15 kg. Cost - about 20 thousand rubles.
Melasti is a Turkish milking machine. 2-stroke, portable, with pulsator (60 pulses/min). Designed for small numbers of livestock: milks up to 12 cows per hour. Can volume – 20 l, weight – 44 kg. Costs 25-30 thousand rubles.
Delaval will be useful if the livestock is 3-5 units. The DeLaval MMU modification allows you to milk 2 cows at the same time. Working pressure – 50 kPa. The glasses are plastic, the hoses are transparent. The volume of the plastic transparent can is 30 l. This Swedish unit has two drawbacks: noise during operation and cost (about 70 thousand rubles).
AID-2 has high productivity: 10 cows/hour. Can also be used for serving sheep and goats. Equipped with wheels, transparent tank. Used for small households.
“Burenka” is a milking machine for goats. The unit is portable, silicone cups, made of materials safe for health. When working, it does not make noise and does not frighten the animal. Price – about 400 dollars.
“Dairy Farm” is equipped with silicone cups and a 22.6 liter can. Serves up to 10 cows per hour. Weight – 47 kg. There are many modifications.
"Farmer". Mobile unit equipped with two wheels. Intended for private use: milking speed – 10 cows/hour. Vacuum pump type – dry, creates a pressure of 48 kPa. Aluminum glasses. Can volume – 20 l, weight – 25 kg. You can buy a milking machine for 21-23 thousand rubles.
The “milker” operates silently and does not require manual milking, since the glasses and hoses are transparent and mobile. Pressure – 40-50 kPa. The capacity of the can is 22.6 liters, weight is 52 kg.
"Volga" is a 3-stroke unit with a pulsator. The glasses, like most of the parts, are plastic. Capacity of the container – 20 l. Price - on average 4 thousand rubles.

“Milkline”, “Milka”, “Doyushka” are very popular. The design of the Doyushka milking machines: the engine provides a 2-stroke mode (64-70 strokes/min), cups with a transparent silicone insert, transparent hoses, it is impossible to milk two cows at the same time. Best suited for small numbers of animals with developed udders. What is the price? About 18 thousand rubles.

Design is the most important building process

If you decide to make a milking machine with your own hands, then you need to understand that it will not be possible to assemble such a complex device from scrap materials alone. You will need to purchase ready-made mechanical components, hoses, and containers. From these, a homemade milking machine will be assembled, which is not inferior in its performance characteristics to industrial equipment.

All milking equipment has a general structural principle and necessarily includes:

power supply for connecting the electric motor and the power plant itself;
hanging equipment with a pulsator responsible for the periodic compression and relaxation of the cow's teats;
a collector responsible for removing milk from the udder;
hanging unit with milking cups;
a flexible thread that reliably connects the suspended equipment to the air motor;
hoses responsible for creating a vacuum and transporting milk;
containers for collecting the finished product;
tachometer for monitoring the operation of milking equipment.

The milking machine design requires the use of a power unit, which can be manual, electric or mechanical.

When choosing design elements for a homemade machine for milking cows, you should focus on the recommendations of experts, your financial capabilities, the size of the barn and the number of dairy cows kept.

Sucking stroke

During the stroke, the membrane in the pulsator bends so that it blocks the flow of oxygen into the pulsator. The resulting vacuum passes into a special chamber located between the walls of the milking cup. In the nipple area and in the chamber, the vacuum becomes equal, which leads to milk suction. After a split second, the vacuum begins to spread under the pulsator membrane, and this leads to the lowering of a special valve. It blocks further expansion of the vacuum.

Choosing the most cow-friendly equipment

When thinking about how to make a milking machine yourself, do not forget that this equipment should not cause even minimal harm to the health of the cow. Improperly manufactured devices can provoke the occurrence of mastitis and other physiological abnormalities.

An individual cow milking machine imitates the movements of the lips of a calf as it sucks milk, and the release of the udder should be maximum.

The milking cups are made of a hard material, covered on the inside with soft rubber, which fits tightly to the udder and provides the creation of a vacuum necessary for the process of rapid milk extraction.

When creating a milking machine for cows at home, you should pay special attention to the quality of such cups, which will be attached to the teats and should not lead to their cracking.

Experts recommend using transparent rubber or plastic for milking cups and milk hoses, which allows you to control the milking process and stop it in a timely manner by moving the suspension unit to the udder of another animal.

How to work with a hanging knot

Milking with a machine has its own characteristics that a novice farmer must take into account. To ensure that the resulting milk is of high quality, it is recommended to first perform hygiene measures.

Sequencing:

each vacuum glass is disinfected and the presence of vacuum in it is checked;
wipe the goat's udder with a disinfectant solution;
cut off the interfering wool;
they milk a little milk by hand - it cannot be eaten;
The animal’s nipples are wiped and then the cups of the device are placed on them;
gradually raise the vacuum in the system;
after the flow of milk begins to decrease, gradually release the pressure;
remove the glass, check for any remaining milk in the udder;
After completing the process, wipe all parts of the installation with disinfectants.

Make sure that the hoses do not bend too much and that there are no cracks in the glasses, otherwise the seal will be broken.

It is better to purchase an industrial pulsator and collector in a store

Extremely important elements of the milking machine are the pulsator and the collector, which are responsible for extracting milk from the udder and transporting it to a special container. If you are deciding how to assemble a milking machine and plan to make these two most important elements of the system yourself, you can make a grave mistake that can lead to negative consequences.

Improper operation of a homemade pulsator and collector can injure cattle, cause stress, and even the most productive cow will reduce her milk yield.

It is best to purchase ready-made equipment of domestic or foreign production that is most suitable for you in terms of price and power, connecting it to a common milking system.

Dairy

The following products are prepared from goat milk:

oil;
cheese;
cottage cheese;
cream;
fermented baked milk;
sour cream.

A popular type of cheese, feta cheese, is made not only from cow’s or sheep’s milk, but also from goat’s milk.

Goat milk products have a unique but very pleasant taste. They contain many microelements and vitamins that are extremely necessary and beneficial for the human body.

Milk is very nutritious, and naturally, the beneficial qualities are transferred to the products made from it. These products are in high demand among a certain part of buyers, for which they are willing to pay a lot of money.

Hoses and containers are a guarantee of high-quality milk preservation

When creating milking machines, some livestock breeders pay insufficient attention to the quality of hoses and containers for storing the finished product. If cracks appear in the milk hose, through which pathogenic bacteria can enter the milk. Then it is unlikely that you will be able to get high-quality products through it. Therefore, the quality of this element should be given special importance when assembling milk pipelines from elastic transparent plastic pipes of high quality.

When choosing containers for collecting milk, farmers most often choose aluminum cans. They close tightly, place them in a container with cold water or industrial ice to quickly cool the product, and are also convenient for direct sale of milk in markets.

A household can is quite light and easy to transport, but not very durable, unlike iron products, the disadvantage of which is its heavy weight. An alternative solution could be plastic containers, which are convenient to store, clean and transport.

Having purchased and independently prepared all the elements of the milking machine, all that remains is to correctly connect them into a single system, which can be supplemented with other devices and control sensors. Using the recommendations of professionals and publicly available technical documentation, you can assemble an extremely effective and useful device for the household, significantly increasing labor productivity while reducing physical costs.

Selecting a power plant

When keeping one or more cows, in most cases, farmers have to milk the animals by hand. This is a physically difficult process, leads to fatigue of the milkmaid and is not able to guarantee absolute compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards.

Correct assembly of the milking machine reduces labor costs, simplifies the milking process, and increases the productivity of cows. A mechanical propulsion system allows the use of the physical strength of 1 person, but it is a bad solution because it does not relieve the burden on the livestock breeder.

Electrically driven power devices are often made from vacuum cleaner motors. They are practical, easy to operate, but require electricity, which may occasionally cause problems in rural areas.

Diesel engines are considered the most practical and efficient mechanisms that regulate the start and operation of such a system. They are reliable and, if the operating rules are followed, can work for many years.

Their very significant drawback is the use of machine oil and diesel fuel, which can leak, polluting the farm, which inevitably affects the quality of the milk produced. In addition, such a motor makes loud noise, affecting the well-being of animals and putting them in a stressful state. Therefore, it is best to mount the power unit in an isolated room, ensuring its connection with the suspension unit using long hoses. You can also use homemade or industrial sound mufflers.

Do it yourself or buy a milking machine

When deciding to assemble milking equipment with your own hands, you should carefully weigh all the pros and cons, realistically assessing your own technical knowledge and skills.

Having selected a diagram of a milking installation suitable for your farm in the technical literature, you need to familiarize yourself with the performance characteristics of similar industrial models. When selecting mechanical blocks for a milking machine, you should take into account their performance, warranty period, cost, as well as delivery and assembly costs.

Tubes with mechanisms and containers must be securely connected using special special fasteners and bolts that prevent depressurization of the system and the penetration of atmospheric air into it.

Please note that an incorrectly assembled system for automatic milking of cows can cause serious damage to the health of cows during operation, causing injury to the udder and the development of mastitis.

For the assembly and disassembly of milking machines, it is best to use the services of experienced mechanics who can combine the components into a single working system.

In any case, only the livestock breeder himself, taking into account the number of cows kept and the prospects for the development of the farm, can decide what power and type of milking machine he will assemble with his own hands and install in the barn.

Please like if the material was interesting and useful to you.

Tell us in the comments about the milking machines you made yourself and share the secrets of their assembly.

In practice, there are three reasons for creating a milking machine at home. The first is the high price of this industrial-made device for milking cows. The second is the need to improve finished samples, in the form of refining additional units in order to speed up and facilitate the milking process. The third is the implementation of technical ideas and the satisfaction of personal ambitions. The most difficult thing in such a technical and technological process is that the apparatus for milking cows will have to be constructed from practically nothing.

General characteristics for milk selection

Regardless of the method of milking the animal, basic rules and recommendations should be followed. The basic rule is to keep the udder clean. Also, animal milk should not undergo heat treatment, this makes it possible to achieve the healing qualities of the product. In addition, the quality of a dairy product depends not only on the health and cleanliness of the animal, but also on some other factors. In order to get pure milk, you need:

Always ensure that there is no hair on the goats’ udders;
Animals will need to be accustomed to the process of collecting milk on a milking machine;
Before receiving milk, nipples should be disinfected in any product that has an antibacterial effect. Some breeders advise washing the nipples with an iodine solution, and after treatment you will need to milk a few grams of milk into a separate container. After this, the udder must be wiped dry with gentle movements;
You should wash your hands before milking. If milking is done manually, the first amount of milk must be passed through a sieve. If discharge remains in the form of threads, then the animal is most likely dead, and such milk is not recommended to be consumed;
The resulting product must be cooled immediately and the deeper the cooling, the tastier and healthier the product will be.

Animal milk products may have a distinct unpleasant odor or taste. This is due to the fact that the livestock may be sick or the goats may be kept in the same dwelling with the goat. In addition, the taste may be spoiled if the animal consumes grass with a certain odor. For example, wormwood adds bitterness.

It is very good to collect the product in one place. To do this, it is recommended to make a milking machine. Since goats are affectionate animals, and they quickly get used to their owner, it is recommended to talk to the cattle while collecting milk. The conversation can be about anything, it is important that the intonation in the voice is positive and peaceful. Also, to improve the quality of the product, you should give your goats treats.

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What tools and materials are needed?

In addition to the fundamental components (motor, pump, manifold, pulsator and milking cups), some other components will be needed. This:

Milk can or bucket.
Main air hose. Needed for air supply.
Vacuum regulator. Required to create dosed pressure. Too much will lead to discomfort, too little will not allow you to achieve normal performance.
A belt for transmitting torque from the motor to the pump.
Tap for air access into the milk container.
Silicone hoses for pumping.

The nuances of the milking procedure - regularity, frequency and timeliness

The regularity and frequency of milking of cattle depend on factors such as the breed of cattle, health status, structure of the mammary glands, and the frequency of milking. On average, a cow produces about 70 liters of milk per day.

Experts are of the opinion that cows should be milked at least two to three times a day. It has been experimentally proven that if you milk her less than twice, this will lead to a decrease in milk yield and udder diseases. The average milk flow rate should be at least 1 liter per 1 minute.

After a heifer reproduces, her milk volume increases. During this period of time, the number of procedures increases to five times a day.

It is advisable to milk at regular intervals, at the same time. If there is little production, then switch to milking three times a day.

Before milking the cattle, you need to clean the stall - remove the manure, lay out fresh bedding, and ventilate the room.

If the cow is young, then tie it up for safety reasons. It is advisable to also attach the tail to the hind limb so that she does not fan herself with it and accidentally touch the milkmaid’s face.
The animal loves affection, so pet it, call it by name, make contact.
Wash your hands with soap and change your clothes to clean ones. It is better to have a special robe or apron for these purposes. A headscarf or hat is required.
Wash the udder with non-hot water and wipe with a dry and clean cloth.
Get a massage. Do not rush to pull the nipples on an unprepared milk organ.
The first milk streams should be directed into a separate vessel. It is advisable to do this through gauze or dark cloth in order to identify the presence or absence of diseases by the discharge of blood, mucus, characteristic of flake mastitis. And thus, the dirt accumulated during the walk is removed from the nipples.