Do-it-yourself milking machine from a vacuum cleaner

To obtain milk and dairy products, farmers often bring goats to their farms. A cow is not always convenient to keep: it requires more food, it needs a larger barn, and it is expensive. But milking problems remain, no matter what kind of animal the owner keeps. For those who find it difficult to carry out this procedure, there is a milking machine for goats. You can either buy it or make it yourself. Let's look at how to make a milking machine for goats with your own hands.

Milking machine for goats

Rules for using the milking machine

Although milking machines for goats make the process of obtaining milk easier, their use requires certain knowledge from the owner. All hygiene rules must be observed during the milking process. You should not begin this procedure without washing your hands and cleaning the device itself. It is recommended to carefully clean the udder from excess hair. The first streams of milk are usually put into a separate container, as they contain dirt and bacteria. After each use, the milking machine is thoroughly cleaned of dirt and milk stains.

Regardless of whether a homemade unit is used or milking machines for goats from the manufacturer are used, the animal must be accustomed to them. A manual milking machine can frighten your pet, so at first you should calm her down and stay nearby. This recommendation applies to both a device made at home and one that had to be purchased ready-made.

Rules for milking cows using machines

Using machines for milking requires compliance with a number of rules:

before each procedure, check the condition of the udder and nipples, wash with clean water;
quickly attach milking cups;
The first to be milked are the cows that have calved, the next in line are young cows with high milk yield, and finally the animals with poor milk yield are left;
with the arrival of the first portions of milk, they look for any admixtures of blood or flakes;
during milking, check the vacuum in the glasses;
milking is carried out at one time, repeating the procedure is unacceptable;
Once the milk has finished flowing in, immediately turn off the machine and carefully remove the milking units;
after completion of the process, the nipples are disinfected and the equipment is washed;
The resulting milk is cooled and its quality is controlled.

The machine is regularly checked and technically inspected. At the time of milking, the equipment must be in good working order.

Milking machine parts

Let's look at what the milking machine consists of:

The main element of any such design is the vacuum pump, which is the main working force. It is worth taking a pump whose power is approximately equal to that of industrial devices.
Pulsator. In theory, some craftsmen are able to assemble it with their own hands, but this requires engineering skills and a large set of tools. Usually such pulsators are bought on the market.
Collector for collecting milk. This device distributes the impulse emanating from the pulsator to all glasses attached to the udder. It has a complex design that is not easy to reproduce at home.
Hoses for pumping milk. Clear silicone hoses are usually chosen as they are best suited for this purpose. It is convenient to monitor how the liquid flows with them, and they are easy to wash.
Udder glasses. These cups are usually equipped with silicone inserts so as not to injure the animal. Again, you can buy them, or you can assemble them yourself.
Container for milk collection. Usually a can, bucket or canister is used for this purpose. It is not recommended to use plastic. A metal container, such as stainless steel, is much better suited here.

Before purchasing, they decide which spare parts for the mini version of the milking machine for goats can be assembled with their own hands, and what they will have to buy. After this, they evaluate all the costs and decide what is more convenient: buy a unit or assemble it manually.

A person without engineering knowledge and skills should not try to make such a device.

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.

Choosing a pump for a milking machine

DIY device

To make a milking machine for a goat with your own hands, you need to select suitable parts for it. The first step is to select a suitable pump. Instead, you can use a manual drive.

Making a hand-pulled pump is not very attractive for a number of reasons. The first is the low power of such a unit, due to which only 1-2 animals can be milked at a time, and this is inconvenient for owners of large farms. The second is the unevenness of impulses during milking. A hand pump requires uniform, methodical pumping, since the animal always gets used to the same rhythm. And if you milk him with a different amplitude, the volume of milk received will greatly decrease. Finally, even servicing one mini-unit requires some effort: a manual drive requires constant, methodical work in the process of milking a goat.

If there is a cow on the farm, it is better to either milk it manually or use an automatic unit. Here you need to choose which pump will be convenient for your homemade device. Vacuum pumps are of electric or oil type. Oil-based ones are often used in industrial settings, but they also have their drawbacks.

When assembling a milking machine, you have to choose between an electric and an oil pump unit. And here it is better to prefer the electric version: with any leakage, oil enters the system, then all the milk has to be thrown away.

Self-assembly

If desired, you can make a homemade design that will provide sufficient power when the milking machine is operating. A small compressor, such as one from an old vacuum cleaner or similar device, is best. Engine power of 0.4-0.5 kW is sufficient for efficient operation. Some Soviet vacuum cleaners have a power of 0.6-0.7 kW, which may be enough even when assembling a milking machine for two goats.

During production, it is important to follow all recommendations

There are a number of manufacturing recommendations. First, it is worth using a capacitor to dampen network interference to ensure uniform pumping. This part is always present in the vacuum cleaner. Secondly, excess power can be extinguished using a regular lamp connected to the device. An incandescent lamp with a power of 50, 100 or 200 W is suitable, depending on the strength of the vacuum cleaner. Finally, it is advisable to check the stability of the electric pump: whether there are short circuits in the network, whether the winding has burned out.

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.

Pulsator and collector selection

If the pump can still be made from an old compressor, a pulsator and a manifold are usually purchased. These two parts are usually sold separately; neither an industrial nor a home-made device can do without them. The pulsator produces uniform impulses, similar to the sucking of a baby goat, and the manifold distributes pressure and vacuum throughout all teat cups. Without such an even distribution, normal and effective milking is impossible.

There is also such a device as a pulse collector: a pulsator and a collector assembled into one whole. In most cases, the price of such a paired device is slightly lower than the cost of its two components separately. A cheap device will have to be manually cleaned and sorted out, but an expensive one may not be affordable. The price of even an inexpensive pulsator is 1300-2000 rubles and more. The collector costs 300-600 rubles.

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.

Brands of devices

There are several models that you can either purchase ready-made or use parts for assembly. For example, the Belka apparatus (Belka 1 mini, Belka 2), with which you can provide care for a herd of up to two dozen animals. 1 mini squirrel will cost the farmer relatively inexpensively, only 13-14 thousand rubles. For the owner of a personal plot, something like a Maiga device is best suited. This is a simple and convenient design, the price of which is 4-5 thousand rubles, depending on the region.

It is best to pay attention to the spare parts of these devices during assembly. If you need to milk 4-5 goats at the same time, you can pay attention to the Doyushka machine. However, it will cost 18-20 thousand rubles, so only owners of large farms should buy it.

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 home-made unit can cause injury to the udder. If you decide to go with a homemade product, you need to buy factory-made components for the milking machine. At home, spare parts are assembled into one structure.

Milk in cosmetics

Manufacturers of cosmetics also know about the benefits of goat products. Today, milk is widely used in the manufacture of various creams, masks for the skin and face, balms, and shampoos.

The positive properties, from the point of view of cosmetologists, include the following properties of the product:

restoration of youth, elasticity and softness to the skin;
penetration of nourishing and moisturizing components into the deepest layers of the skin;
elimination of pathogenic bacteria.

Regular use of cosmetics made from goat milk refreshes and brightens the skin, restores water-salt balance, and gets rid of bags under the eyes.

Using milk in hair care prevents split ends and gets rid of dandruff. Moreover, it is not necessary to buy special products in stores - just soak your hair in a solution of milk diluted with water in a one-to-one ratio, leave for a few minutes, and then rinse.

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.

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.

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.

The cow "squeezed" the milk during machine milking

Usually this manifests itself in the same way as with manual milking - there is less milk than expected. The amount of cream deposited in the jar after 12 hours is less than 6 cm. Such difficulties can arise due to the fact that a calf has been allowed in, the cow is sick or is in a stressful state.

I recommend doing the following:

Remove glasses;
Massage the udder;
Try to milk the milk manually - if you feel that the udder is full again, put the glasses back on.

From experience(!): I advise you to keep the calf away from the cow and ensure adequate feeding and familiar living conditions. For example, I immediately pick up the baby as soon as the mother licks him after calving.

Remember, when accustoming a cow to a milking machine, you must “introduce” your ward to the machine. Act calmly and affectionately, and then getting used to YES will not take much time.

Good milk yield and prosperity to your farm!

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.

In order for the machine assembled at home for milking cows to work stably, we begin to select a pump according to technical parameters. The first step is to determine the power. A 500 W pump is enough to milk two cows. If the farm consists of a large number of livestock, pumping equipment is selected with a power of 4 kW or more. Here it is important to adhere to a simple rule: the greater the number of cows, the more powerful the pump is needed. However, a large supply is also not needed. Unclaimed power will result in unnecessary energy consumption.

The second important technical parameter is functionality. There are vacuum and oil pumps. For a homemade milking machine, the first option is suitable. Oil units create high-pitched noise that disturbs cows. In addition, constant monitoring of the oil level is required. If the system is depressurized, the milk will be spoiled.

The suspension unit is an equally important part of the device. It is he who will be in contact with the cow's udder. You can't save money here. It is better to purchase an expensive hanging unit 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 pump out milk. In addition, the cow's teats and udder are less likely to chafe.

The pulsator and collector are chosen at your discretion. This will require personal experience and recommendations from sellers. The units are sold in separate versions and combined ones - pulse collectors. The second option for a homemade 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 are more expensive. Domestic models wear out faster, but the price is lower. Let the cow owner decide for himself what is more profitable for him.

The hose for transporting milk is chosen to be transparent and made of food-grade polymer. For air, an opaque hose is suitable, but similarly made from non-toxic materials. Pipelines must be strong and wear-resistant.

The container for collecting milk can be plastic, aluminum or stainless steel. The aluminum can is lightweight, but over time it collapses due to dampness. Oxidation products end up in milk. Stainless steel is an ideal material, but the container is heavy. The plastic product does not oxidize, it is light, but it bursts upon impact. The choice of can type depends on the owner’s preferences.

When all the components have been purchased, assembling a milking machine for cows with your own hands will not be difficult:

the frame is welded according to the developed project;
a pump and 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 to pump milk into the can;
hoses are connected to the starter collector, the suspension unit is connected;
A hole is drilled in the lid of the can and a valve is installed that is responsible for regulating the pressure.

After assembly is completed, try to start the pump.

The video shows a do-it-yourself milking machine in more detail:

DIY milking machine from a vacuum cleaner

A vacuum cleaner can replace the vacuum pump, but the pressure in the homemade product must be pulsating, otherwise it will cause injury to the cow’s udder. An electric valve is installed on the assembled apparatus from a vacuum cleaner, powered by a pulsed voltage supply. During operation, the valve will bleed air from the hose, creating a pulsating pressure.

The video shows an example of making a vacuum pump from a vacuum cleaner:

Homemade milking machine from a compressor

The compressor will be converted to a vacuum pump. At the inlet to the receiver, a check valve is pulled out from the tee. To remove the rubber coin, 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:

If a cow butts and kicks - ways to protect yourself

Often, during the collection of milk, a cow can cause serious injuries to the milkmaid. In such cases, many send the animal to slaughter. But there are more gentle methods that can calm the nurse:

Install dim, dim lighting in the room in which you will milk. Bright light can irritate livestock.
Place a bag or blanket over the cow's head. This will calm her down.
Give the female food. While eating, she will focus on chewing. Sometimes she is fed treats such as sugar, carrots, etc.
Tie the hind legs with a figure-eight rope and secure the other end to a fence, fence or post. She is unlikely to like it, but over time she will calm down and get used to it.
Tie the tail to the back leg so that during the process or swatting away flies and mosquitoes, she does not hit the milkmaid in the face with it.
Carry out the procedure in a special milking machine. It is equipped with crossbars to which the cattle's limbs can be tied.
If none of the methods helps, try machine milking instead of manual milking. But the transition must be smooth so that the cow gets used to the noise emanating from the milking unit.

Important

Under no circumstances should you shout at the cow or hit it. This will have a worse effect and her reaction may be unpredictable.

It is important to find out the cause of the cow’s restless state. There is a possibility of udder diseases: mastitis, swelling, bruises, hematomas, swelling and much more.

Therefore, necessary treatment will be required.

Sometimes, in order to milk a cow, you have to inject her with an anesthetic.

For greater clarity, watch the video with advice from an experienced milkmaid on how to properly milk a cow by hand.

Why doesn't a cow give milk or beats when milking?

Often, a lack of milk or a reluctance to milk occurs in young animals and first-calf heifers. Adults are also sometimes susceptible to this, which cannot be ignored. There may be several reasons:

the cow is not used to its owners and is nervous - you need to calm it down, a gentle voice, stroking, caution, no sudden movements, no noise, give a treat; the animal is milked incorrectly - this happens with inexperienced owners; discomfort from the milking machine - make sure it is put on and adjusted correctly; pain in the udder - this could be chapping, frostbite, a splinter or a sign of disease.

If there is no milk, the cow is beating, there is a specific reason for this that needs to be determined immediately. This type of behavior doesn't happen in livestock due to their finicky nature, find the problem and fix it.

Did you know? Inscriptions made on paper with milk become invisible - they can be read when the letter is heated. This encryption method was used by V.I. Lenin when he was taken into custody.

Mastitis - the udder increases in size, redness is visible, lumps are felt, pain occurs when touched, there may be swelling and fever. During the treatment period, milk is donated every 2–3 hours.

You need to carefully knead the seals three times a day for 15 minutes, but only if there is no purulent discharge. Part of the succulent feed and concentrate is removed from the diet

Streptomycin or penicillin is injected intramuscularly, dissolved in novocaine - 5 ml of 0.25% 500-800 thousand units of the drug. If there are purulent formations, the same medicine is injected through a catheter directly into the udder lobe - 100–300 thousand units are diluted in 25–150 ml of distilled water. To dissolve the seals, apply warm wraps and lubricate the tissues with ichthyol ointment.

Edema is a problem in high-yielding cows. It manifests itself in the form of an enlarged udder, there is no pain, but there is discomfort. Serious intervention is not required, massage in the direction of the base of the udder, you can apply a support bandage. Let the cow walk more, reduce the amount of succulent feed and water.

A bruise is a painful problem; the temperature of the damaged tissue increases, and swelling is observed. There may be bruising, blood in the milk. Treatment with a cold compress for up to 3 days, then with heat. Need a support bandage

You can’t do a massage; you should handle it very carefully.

Retention – manifests itself in the absence of milk. Occurs more often due to rough handling, stress

The udder may be full, but when milking the result is zero. The solution to the problem is to calm the animal down and feed it treats.

Narrowing of the channel - the stream is thin, the pressure for milking is strong. If there is obstruction, there is no milk yield at all, even though there is milk. Treatment - baths for the lobes (hot), ichthyol ointment for lubrication, warm wraps, milk through a catheter. If the case is chronic, surgery will be required, which must be performed by a veterinarian.

Furuncle - there can be one or several lesions, a painful compaction the size of a nut (hazelnut or walnut). The outbreak opens and festeres. Treated with ichthyol ointment. Mature boils need to be opened and lubricated with iodine tincture. The diet must be improved and hygiene requirements must be increased.

Cracks are visible to the naked eye. Cleaned with 1 or 2% saline solution. Lubricate with streptocidal, ichthyol or zinc ointment. Special ointments for softening the udder are sold in veterinary pharmacies.

Milk and dairy products may be your main source of profit, but you cannot neglect the needs of the livestock and ignore the rules of caring for it. Trying to increase your milk yield by any means, you can achieve the opposite result.

Why does a cow kick when milking?

Before looking for ways to calm animals that kick during milking, you first need to consider the reasons why they behave this way.

A sudden change in environment causes severe stress in cows; as a defense mechanism, the animal does not allow itself to be milked. This usually happens when an adult is purchased and transported to a new place.
Mastitis at any stage of development. It brings great discomfort to the animal and causes quite severe pain when the udder is compressed.
When milking, a cow may kick due to improper technique. Discomfort and severe pain can be the cause of the animal’s abnormal behavior.
Injuries to the nipples and udder. They can also be the reason why a cow kicks during milking. Before each milking, it is necessary to inspect the udder for damage and, if necessary, treat it with disinfectants and wound-healing agents.
Lack of proper milk collection schedule. Without it, the cow does not have the correct daily routine, and the animal will react negatively to any outside interference.
Excessive cow fatigue can also cause a cow to kick during milking. This process requires effort not only from the person, but also from the cow itself, and a tired animal does not want to strain even more.

It is very important to understand that the process of milking a first-calf heifer and an experienced cow is very different. In the first case, you need to be patient and put a lot of effort into teaching the animal to behave correctly.

Hand milking with fist

There are two different options for hand milking, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

The first option is with a fist. It is considered lighter and therefore more common. It is noteworthy that for such milking it is not necessary to lubricate the milkmaid’s hands and the cow’s udder with softening agents. To milk in this way you need:

Cover the nipple with all five fingers. In this case, the little finger should be at the lower edge of the nipple, and the index finger should be located under the thumb.
Squeeze your fingers one by one. First the index and thumb, then the ring and middle, and the last is the little finger.
Unclench all fingers, thereby allowing a new portion of milk to enter the nipple. In this case, the fist is not removed, but remains in the same place.

During the milking process, it is necessary to ensure that the milk flows into the container and not into the palm. Milking begins from the front side of the udder and then moves to the back. The recommended compression frequency is at least 85 per minute (ideally 90-100). Slowing down this rhythm can lead to a decrease in milk supply.

As a particular advantage of fist milking, milkmaids note that with this method, the hands get tired much less. Accordingly, the milking process occurs much faster.

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.

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.