Portable Milking Machines : A Buyer's Guide

As a dairy farmer, you know how labor-intensive milking can get. Each day begins early, and depending on the size of your operation, you have to spend several hours ensuring the proper milking of your livestock. A portable milking machine can make this load lighter. Let’s walk you through the process of buying the best portable milker system for your specific needs to make your life easier. 

Benefits of Portable Milking Machines 

Any farmer intending to scale up their dairy farm should consider incorporating milking machines into their operations. Portable ones, in particular, allow the convenience of flexibility. With a fixed machine, you’ll need to herd animals into the milking room one after the other, which is stressful, especially when dealing with large numbers. Other benefits include: 

• Faster Processes: Takes as little as 5 minutes per animal, while the manual process could take double or even triple that time. 
• Comfort: The suction from the machine imitates the suckling of a calf, and animals find the process more comfortable compared to milking by hand. 
• Efficiency: Ensures that the udder is sufficiently emptied. This guarantees maximum yield and reduces the chances of diseases associated with incomplete milking. 
• Enhances Cleanliness: By reducing human contact, these machines minimize the chances of contamination, resulting in higher quality milk. 

Types of Animals Suited for Machine Milking 

Milking machines are mainly designed with cows and goats in mind. These two sets of animals have differing needs when it comes to milking. If you’re keeping either cows or goats, look out for the specific features discussed below: 

• Goats have smaller teats and more sensitive udders. Their milking machines are relatively small, offering medium suction. This is also true for sheep.
• The machines designed for cows are larger, with bigger teat cups and pumps capable of providing more potent suction. 
• Unlike goats, whose average milk production is in the range of 5-15 liters, cows can produce between 20-40 liters. Thus, they require larger buckets. 

If you’re keeping both cows and goats, you’re probably wondering if you require a separate machine for each herd. Fortunately, you do not. You can go for the option of an adjustable machine with interchangeable parts, which allows you to exchange the teat cups and other components, depending on the animals you’re milking. With such a machine, you can also regulate the suction pressure to suit each specific herd. 

Energy Sources 

As you select your portable machine, you need to consider the source of power and how it will affect operations. Below, we discuss the two most common sources. 

1. Gas

If you want to set up or expand your farm to a remote area beyond the power grid, gas-powered machines are your best bet. A few cons of these machines that you should know of: they tend to be bulky and noisy. Animals could take some time to get used to the noise, and the initial discomfort can affect milk supply. Ultimately, the cons are a small price to pay for a milking machine that allows you to set up your farm wherever you want. 

2. Electricity 

If you’re connected to the grid, an electric-powered machine will serve you well. They have the advantage of operating quietly, providing a comfortable milking environment, especially when you use them indoors. These can also be hooked up to a portable generator if you need to milk out in the field.

What to Look for When Shopping for a Quality Unit 

With the many different types of portable milking machines in the market, how can you figure out the one best suited for your needs? We’ve put together a brief purchase guide below. Here’s what to look out for: 

• Complete Package: Buying a full package gives you better value for your money compared to buying the various parts separately. Going for an established brand also ensures spare parts will be available whenever you need them. 
• Quality: A high-grade machine will serve you efficiently for years, save for the occasional change in components such as liners, gaskets, and hoses. For durability, a stainless steel unit is your best bet. 
• Easy to Clean: Milk is easily contaminable. Dealing with it calls for the highest level of hygiene. Pick a machine with smooth surfaces and detachable components to ensure proper sanitization practices. 
• Pump Suction: To guarantee high yields in your milk-extracting operation, a strong enough vacuum pump is crucial. Those with adjustable suction will ensure the process is safe and comfortable for your animals. 

Common Parts Needed 

The easiest way to understand the components of a portable milking machine is to consider how the milk travels from the moment it’s extracted from the udder until it gets to the holding point. 

From the top, you have the cups and liners that fit onto the teat. The milk from each individual teat collects at the claw, and from there, it flows down the hose into the bucket. Behind this whole process is a vacuum pump, a device that provides the force that draws out the milk. 

Proper Usage Tips 

Even with the best machine, how you employ it determines its output. Looking to get some advice to maximize usage? Here are some recommendations to have in mind: 

• Ensure thorough cleaning of all the components after every use. 
• Carry out regular maintenance, including lubricating the moving parts, replacing liners, and performing general inspections. 
• Double-check that the suction pump is properly configured for efficient milk extraction. 
• Introduce the machine gradually to give your animals time to get used to the feel of the machine and reduce discomfort. 

Conclusion 

With a portable milking machine, you can bring remarkable improvement to your dairy farm operations. Faster and more efficient milk extraction leaves you not only with higher yields but also with more time for those essential tasks and less fatigue on your end. In the end, your livestock also benefits from comfortable, stress-free milking. Happy farmer, happy animals; a win all round!