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A milking machine for cows at home can be made by a specialist who understands how it works and what components it consists of. A handicraft-made unit is capable of injuring the udder. If a decision is made to stop at home-made, the components for the milking machine must be bought factory-made. At home, parts are assembled into one design.
The principle of operation of the milking machine
Before you understand the principle of operation and start manufacturing, you need to understand what main components the milking machine consists of:
- milking cups – 4 pieces;
- hoses for pumping milk and forcing air;
- metal collector of milk;
- 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 alternating operation is connected with the direction of movement of the piston.
Milking cups have a complex device. The basis is a metal or plastic case. Inside are rubber inserts. The elastic element tightly covers the teats of the cow’s udder. Between the body and the inserts is a sealed chamber.
Two hoses are connected to each glass. A thick milk suction tube 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 principle of operation of a two-stroke installation is as follows:
- The glasses are put on the nipples of the cow’s udder, the pump is turned on;
- Initially, low pressure is maintained inside the rubber insert of the cup (nipple chamber). When the pump actuates the pulsator or valves (depending on the design), the vacuum begins to pulsate. With the simultaneous formation of low pressure in the sealed inter-wall and nipple chamber, milk flows out of the teat of the cow’s udder.
- Through thick hoses, milk flows through the collector into the can.
The outflow of milk stops when the pressure inside the interwall sealed chamber equalizes to the atmospheric level.
Almost all units are vacuum, and work on the same principle. Specifications and details differ for different models.
There is such a thing as discontinuity in milking. The principle of the two-stroke milking machine is based on the constant suction of milk from the cow’s udder. The unit has only two modes of operation: suction of milk and compression of the nipple. 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 manual milking.
Basically, modern milking machines are push-pull. They are lighter and easier to transport. Three-stroke models are powerful, usually stationary installations.
The machines differ in the way of milking a cow:
- Suction models suck out milk with a vacuum. The advantage of the technology is in respect for the teats and the udder of the cow. The process is more like manual milking.
- Release models work due to vacuum and additional overpressure.
Suction devices are produced on an industrial scale, and squeezers are made to order.
Milking units differ in the way milk is transported. 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.
Pros and cons of a home milking machine over a purchased one
Having decided to make a milking machine at home, you need to compare the pros and cons of a home-made and a factory unit. Based on the results, make the final decision.
The advantages of homemade:
- lower cost subject to self-assembly of nodes at home;
- the possibility of adjusting the scheme of the milking machine with your own hands according to your requests;
- assembly of nodes taking into account personal requirements;
- future independent maintenance of the milking unit and its repair at home.
Homemade Disadvantages:
- there is no guarantee of reliable operation of the device, careful milking of the cow’s udder;
- for the correct installation of nodes at home, knowledge and experience are needed;
- the savings are small, since all nodes will have to be bought;
- installation of complex parts will require technical solutions.
Advantages of a prefabricated milking unit:
- guarantee of reliable operation of the device, reducing the risk of injury to the cow’s udder;
- warranty service by the manufacturer;
- the purchased unit is immediately ready for operation without test procedures;
- aesthetic appearance, compactness of the device.
Disadvantages of a factory-made cow milking machine:
- a high price is not always affordable for a private owner of cows;
- some components of the design may not meet the requirements of the consumer;
- sometimes you will have to invite a representative of the service center for maintenance;
- post-warranty repairs are more expensive for the owner.
After weighing all the pros and cons, it will be easier to decide which is better, make a manual milking machine or buy a ready-made unit.
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;
- suspension mechanism;
- pulsator;
- can;
- a set of hoses for pumping milk and forcing air.
After purchasing all the details, they begin to develop the project. As a basis, you can take a milking factory machine. The scheme is completely copied or made its own adjustments. First of all, they are determined with the frame design, and then all the nodes are placed on it.
The functionality of the machine for milking cows depends on the choice of components. The node must meet the technical specifications. Quality will affect the longevity of operation. It is advisable to pay attention to the cost. Some spare parts of a domestic manufacturer are not inferior in characteristics to imported counterparts, but they are cheaper.
The vacuum pump is the main working unit of a homemade apparatus. The quality of suction of milk from the nipple of the cow’s udder depends on its work. The choice of pumps is huge. First of all, preference is given to proven manufacturers. According to the pricing policy, they choose the golden mean. A quality pump is not cheap. Too expensive unit is difficult in post-warranty service.
In order for the milking machine assembled at home to work stably, they begin to select a pump according to technical parameters. The first step is determined by the power. A 500W pump is enough to milk two cows. If the farm consists of a large number of livestock, pumping equipment is selected with a capacity of 4 kW or more. It is important to follow a simple rule here: the more cows, the more powerful the pump is needed. However, a large stock is also not needed. Unclaimed power will be reflected in the excess consumption of electricity.
The second important technical parameter is functionality. Pumps are vacuum and oil. For a home-made milking machine, the first option is suitable. Oil units create a high noise that disturbs the cows. In addition, constant monitoring of the oil level is required. If the system is depressurized, the milk will be spoiled.
The suspension assembly is an equally important part of the apparatus. It is he who will be in contact with the udder of the cow. You can’t save here. It is better to purchase a hanging knot from an expensive one from a well-known manufacturer. It is advisable to choose transparent glasses in order to see the process of milking the cow’s udder teats. High-quality rubber inserts and soft silicone suction cups are important. The better these elements, the less power the engine needs to suck milk. In addition, the cow’s teats and udder are less chafed.
The pulsator and collector are chosen at your discretion. This will require personal experience and recommendations from sellers. Nodes are sold separately and combined – pulse collectors. The second option for a home-made milking machine is more profitable. The combined unit is characterized by lower cost, ease of installation and maintenance. The manufacturer does not play a special role. However, imported pulse collectors have a longer service life, but they are more expensive. Domestic models wear out faster, but the price is lower. Let the owner of the cows decide for himself what is more profitable for him.
A hose for transporting milk is chosen transparent from a food-grade polymer. For air, an opaque hose is suitable, but similarly from non-toxic materials. Pipelines must be strong, wear-resistant.
The container for collecting milk is plastic, aluminum and stainless. The aluminum can is light, but eventually collapses from dampness. Oxidation products enter the milk. Stainless steel is the ideal material, only the container is heavy. The plastic product does not oxidize, it is light, but bursts on impact. The choice of the type of can depends on the preferences of the owner.
When all the components are purchased, it will not be difficult to assemble a milking machine for cows with your own hands:
- according to the developed project, the frame is welded;
- a pump, a motor are bolted to the frame, the pulleys are connected with a belt to transmit torque;
- pumping equipment is covered with a metal casing;
- milk hoses are connected to the pump for pumping milk into a can;
- hoses are connected to the start-collector, connect the suspension assembly;
- a hole is drilled in the lid of the can, a valve is installed that is responsible for adjusting the pressure.
At the end of the assembly, they try to start the pump.
The do-it-yourself milking machine is shown in more detail on the video:
Do-it-yourself milking machine from a vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner can replace the vacuum pump, but the pressure in the homemade product must be made pulsating, otherwise the cow’s udder is injured. An electrovalve, powered by a pulsed voltage, is placed on the assembled apparatus from a vacuum cleaner. During operation, the valve will bleed air from the hose, creating a pulsating pressure.
In the video, an example of making a vacuum pump from a vacuum cleaner:
Homemade milking machine from a compressor
Under the vacuum pump convert the compressor. At the inlet to the receiver, a check valve is pulled from the tee. To remove the rubber penny, you need to unscrew the plug.
The process of making a milking machine from a compressor with your own hands is shown in more detail in the video:
Difficulties and nuances of making a homemade milking machine for cows
The complexity of assembling a cow milking unit at home arises in the absence of knowledge and experience. Mistakes made will be reflected first of all on the animal. If the cow is frightened or injured, there will be problems with normal milking in the future.
In a home-made milking machine, it is important to take into account all the nuances so that in terms of technical parameters it does not differ from the factory design. They even take into account the noise level of the motor, the way the unit moves around the barn.
Conclusion
It is optimal to assemble a milking machine for cows at home when there are several broken factory-made units. Working parts are removed from each installation, installed on the finished frame. Buying all new nodes is not economically viable, and sometimes even more expensive than a new device.