Post by simplynaturalfarm on Feb 8, 2011 14:44:33 GMT -5
I dug my milk machine out that I bought at least 15 years ago from a retired organic dairy farmer who hadn't used it in several years. Actually, I bought the vacuum pump from him and then he threw everything else in for free, so I got two surge systems and the vacuum pump for $250. I hope that was a good price, but who knows - he used the surge systems to milk his 40 cows.
Anyway, the pump is in a van parked at my inlaws and I can't get at it this second but will make sure everything is in good working condition and send a picture - maybe it is too large for my system. It is a massive beast, weighing easily 80lbs.
Here are some pictures of the pieces I have - I did not bother taking pictures of the "bucket" of the surge, and the other lid is still outside on the porch.
I recognize the pulsator which has been taken off the one lid - is this what I purchase a pulsator repair kit for? Do I order an extra kit just in case as I have two pulsators? How do I know if the pulsators themselves are any good? From Hamby dairy or where is best?
Are all the inflations and rubber pieces garbage after all these years? They are brand new (albiet look 20 years old), and the seals are in perfect condition with no cracks and price tags still on. I am assuming the huge o rings are seals for the surge lid?
There are a lot of stainless steel . . . milking shells??? I have a total of 12 large ones and 4 small ones - would those have been for goats? (they are in the box on the left under the seals) Is this all outdated or can it be used? I have what looks like an old old pressure gauge I am sure I could replace with something a little newer, and then who knows what cylinder with a filter it that says "surge". It somehow connects to my pump - what would it be? I added the extra picture of it
I will explain what I hope to do. I would like to change the surge so it is not a belly milker, but off to the side - like ROR's setup. I am going to be milking 2 Dexters and one Jersey cross. Will I be able to use the same equipment for both? Right now I am hand milking one cow, but have two more due in March and April and can't hand milk them all due to tennis elbow (never play tennis, but got it from overdoing things)
Can I get a bit of help putting the system together?
Thank you so much!
Heather
Anyway, the pump is in a van parked at my inlaws and I can't get at it this second but will make sure everything is in good working condition and send a picture - maybe it is too large for my system. It is a massive beast, weighing easily 80lbs.
Here are some pictures of the pieces I have - I did not bother taking pictures of the "bucket" of the surge, and the other lid is still outside on the porch.
I recognize the pulsator which has been taken off the one lid - is this what I purchase a pulsator repair kit for? Do I order an extra kit just in case as I have two pulsators? How do I know if the pulsators themselves are any good? From Hamby dairy or where is best?
Are all the inflations and rubber pieces garbage after all these years? They are brand new (albiet look 20 years old), and the seals are in perfect condition with no cracks and price tags still on. I am assuming the huge o rings are seals for the surge lid?
There are a lot of stainless steel . . . milking shells??? I have a total of 12 large ones and 4 small ones - would those have been for goats? (they are in the box on the left under the seals) Is this all outdated or can it be used? I have what looks like an old old pressure gauge I am sure I could replace with something a little newer, and then who knows what cylinder with a filter it that says "surge". It somehow connects to my pump - what would it be? I added the extra picture of it
I will explain what I hope to do. I would like to change the surge so it is not a belly milker, but off to the side - like ROR's setup. I am going to be milking 2 Dexters and one Jersey cross. Will I be able to use the same equipment for both? Right now I am hand milking one cow, but have two more due in March and April and can't hand milk them all due to tennis elbow (never play tennis, but got it from overdoing things)
Can I get a bit of help putting the system together?
Thank you so much!
Heather