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Introduction |
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One important reason for udder damages may be the milking techniques. Especially wrong positioning of the milking unit, leading to the teats being pulled by different forces. To examine these forces and to get a quarter individual milking process automatic milking systems (AMS) with single tube guiding can aid. So it is meaningful to test them in conventional milking parlours (CMP) too.
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Measuring equipment of forces aand vacuum |
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To examine these aspects different milking systems were tested with normal and stepped udder formations.
- automatic milking systems with single tube guiding (AMS),
- conventional milking parlours/clusters (MC, conventional),
- conventional milking parlours with single tube milking cluster (MC, single tube).
The vertical, turning, tilting and side forces were measured, using a test machine developed by the German Agricultural Society (DLG).
As a second aspect the  vacuum behaviour was tested. For analysing the vacuum system of vacuum stability and periodic disturbances wet-test method had been used.
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Test machinery for force measurements Vertical force in different milking systems
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Forces and vacuum stability on the udder in different milking systems |
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The regular allocation of the vertical force to all teats is important for milking process and udder health. The conventional MC shows with stepped udder formation major differences between the front and rear teats (figure). In the AMS and the single tube MC all teats are loaded with the same force. That means there is a good adaptability to the udder by irregular udder formations. This can help to reduce udder damages.
As a second result the vacuum fluctuations in a single tube milking cluster with a tube diameter of 16 mm (MC, 16 mm) shows the lowest fluctuations and the best vacuum stability.
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Conclusions |
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| The analysed characteristics of the milking cluster with single tubes can be rated as very positive. All teats are loaded with same vertical force and can help to reduce disturbing turning and horizontal forces. Vacuum properties are on a good level by 16 mm tube diameter. The system could be an alternative in future times. Further research is necessary and will be done by the authors.
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