Modern milking machines are capable of milking cows quickly and efficiently, without injuring the udder, if they are properly installed, maintained in excellent operating conditions, and used properly. The milking machine performs two basic functions. It opens the streak canal through the use of a partial vacuum, allowing the milk to flow out of the teat cistern through a line to a receiving container. It massages the teat, which prevents congestion of blood and lymph in the teat. Parts of a milking machine The main parts of milking machine parts are Pulsator Teat cup shells and liners Milk receptacle Vacuum pump and gauge Vacuum tank Regulator Milking with machines In order to obtain all the advantages with machine milking the correct technique must be used. The milkers and buffaloes must be familiar with the machines. If the buffaloes are scared or feel uncomfortable they will withhold the milk and thereby yield less. This in turn will lead to economic loss for the farmer and eventually he will loose his faith in machine milking. Introducing machine milking The concept of machine milking should be introduced slowly and by persons who the cattle are used to and feel comfortable with under the supervision of an expert. Training of milkers should be done by a person from the milking machine company. This person has good knowledge about biology of milking, machine milking as well as with the design, function and maintenance of the milking equipment. The training should include introduction procedures, milking routine, handling of the machine, cleaning and maintenance as well as certain aspects of the day-to-day service of the machine. Installation of the milking machine and any other modification in the dairy farm should be made well in advance of the changing to machine milking. It is most appropriate to start with heifers since it is easier to habituate heifers than older cattle to machine milking. Calm animals that are comfortable with hand milking should be selected. The udders and teats of the animals should be uniform with respect to conformation and size. Cattle in heat or unhealthy animals or animals with previous let-down-problems should not be selected. Milk the old and selected animals as usual by hand but let the vacuum pump run during milking. This will make the animals accustomed to the noise. Put the pump on before actual milking, but after the cattle have been tied up, otherwise the animals may be startled by the sudden noise. Repeat the procedure (usually 2 to 4 times) until all cattle are accustomed to the noise. Machines for milking buffaloes Since the udder and teats in buffaloes are different compared to cattle, milking machines for cattle have to be modified in order to fit buffaloes. In general, a heavier cluster, a higher operation vacuum and a faster pulsation rate is required. Suppliers of milking machines Gujarat Unnati Engineering Company 10, Shayona Estate, Nr Vadilal Ice Factory Dudheswer Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat - 380004, India Phone: +(91)-(79)-25621378 Fax: +(91)-(79)-25624985 Mobile / Cell Phone: +(91)-9638216397/9998423093 Mahesh Engineering Works 1, Modi Estate, Near Mahakali Temple, Shahibaug, Ahmedabad, Gujarat - 380 004, Phone: +(91)-(79)-25626688 Mobile / Cell Phone: +(91)-9825336443 Haryana Swastik Enterprises Plot No. 78, Street-3B, R.K. Puram, Kunjpura Road, Karnal - 132001, Haryana, India Phone:91-184-2268326 Fax:91-184-2265926 Barnala Feeds No 748, Sector 12a, Panchkula, Panchkula,Haryana - 134 109, India Phone: +(91)-(172)-2566799 Mobile / Cell Phone: +(91)-9876028982 Kerala Sri Vinayaka Agencies TC- 5/7- 3, Kaira Complex, Muttada Road, Ambalamukku, Peroorkada Post, Trivandrum, Kerala - 695 011, India Phone: +(91)-(471)-6547288/2449178 Mobile / Cell Phone: +(91)-9946938721/9447088234 Maharashtra DeLaval Pvt Ltd, A-3,Abhimaanshree society, Pashan road,(Dr.Homi Bhabha Road), Pune- 411 008 Phone- 020-2567 5881/2,2567 5886,fax- 020- 2567 5916. Email- marketing.india@delaval.com Krishna Industries 25 A, Chandawadi C. P. Tank Road MUMBAI - 400 004 (India) Phone -+91 - 22 - 23803891 / 23803892 / 23803893 Fax : +91 - 22- 23803890 krishna.dairyequipments@gmail.com Govardhan Industries 3/8, Postal Colony, Pachgaon, Kolhapur, Maharashtra - 416 013, India Phone: +(91)-(231)-6524576 Fax: +(91)-(231)-6524576 Mobile / Cell Phone: +(91)-9766672699 New Delhi Chadha Sales Private Limited. 137,Rajindra Market, Tis Hazari, New Delhi, Delhi - 110054, India Phone: +(91)-(11)-23944840/23922290/23920100 Fax: +(91)-(11)-23914211 Sanraj Industries B- 120, Mayapuri Industrial Area, Phase I, Mayapuri, Delhi - 110 064 Phone: +(91)-(11)-23612050 Fax: +(91)-(11)-23682900 Mobile / Cell Phone: +(91)-9811089723 Intec Export (India) Private Limited No. 201, Pankaj Chambers, LSC, Pocket-H, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi, Delhi - 110 076, India Phone: +(91)-(11)-26946628 Fax: +(91)-(11)-41401838 Indian Dairy Equipment Co. No. 364, Azad Market, Delhi - 110 006, Phone: +(91)-(11)-23615823/23612050 Fax: +(91)-(11)-23682900 Mobile / Cell Phone: +(91)-9811089723/9811089723 Tamil Nadu Universal Dairy Equipments 394 Giriamman Koil street, Peelamedu, Coimbatore - 641004, Tamilnadu. Phone: 91-98430-2161-0 Fax: 91-422-2576-604 Mobile: 91-936-310-3791 Source: Portal Team Related resources Cattle Health Management - Learning Resources from RAGACOVAS