Post by Lannie on Feb 9, 2011 14:32:10 GMT -5
*SOMEONE* on this forum has gifted me with a brand spanking new (almost) surge belly milker, and I haven't a clue what to do with it. The bucket (is that what it's called?) is refurbished, and the motor part (vacuum pump?) is rebuilt, but the rest is new. I'm dizzy, I swear!
I've read through the pamphlet that came with it on how to use it, but since I've never even SEEN a milk machine before, I'm still a bit lost. I wish one of you was close enough to come help me do this in person the first time...
I think I see how it's supposed to work, and Rich found me a short little YouTube video of a guy using one, so I watched that, but I have a few (hopefully) basic questions. The pamphlet says to avoid using water to clean the udder before using the milker, because dirty water can get sucked into the inflations if the hairs get sucked in there and contaminate the milk. Well, they don't know my cows. I can't IMAGINE not using water to clean their udders (just Cricket right now, but OMG). While handmilking it's not the least bit of a problem because there's no suckage going on, but those damp dirty hairs MIGHT get sucked in, right? What's the solution? Clip the hair? I'm hesitant to do that in the winter, but I guess if I have to, I will.
Also, I asked the guy at Hamby's what the bottom end was, temperature wise, for operation, and he said FORTY DEGREES? That means I can't milk in the morning OR evening until sometime in JUNE. (I'm exaggerating slightly...) What's the fix for that? Rich is thinking of building a little house for the motor right up in the front corner of the stanchion area, and could possibly rig up a 60W or 75W bulb inside with the motor to keep it warm. Would that be sufficient if it was 15 or 20 below zero? Could I even USE it at those kinds of temps? I'm thinking the rubber on the inflations might freeze or become too rigid to use or be just plain too cold to touch a teat with.
As to the inflations, I don't know what size these are, but is it likely they'll fit both my girls? Bandit has fatter teats than Cricket, so do I have to switch them out, one set for each of them? When I'm milking them both, I'll have to be able to do something right there in the barn, or else haul it all back to the house, do whatever, and haul it all back to the barn.
And how will I know when it's finished? The hoses are black rubber, but I've heard something about clear silicone? Would it be a good idea to try to find clear tubing for those so I can see when the milk stops in each one?
I just have a million questions, and I don't know where to start. I'm SO GRATEFUL to have this, though. My hands have been giving me so much trouble lately, it's all I can do to get Cricket's morning and evening gallon milked out. I'm sure the cold isn't helping, but I've been near tears by the time I'm finished stripping her out, and my hands are so shot from the twice a day milking that I'm having trouble doing other common tasks with my hands. I do NOT want to end up a cripple, so I think this machine is going to be the answer to my prayers! If I can just figure out how to use it.
Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated!
~Lannie
I've read through the pamphlet that came with it on how to use it, but since I've never even SEEN a milk machine before, I'm still a bit lost. I wish one of you was close enough to come help me do this in person the first time...
I think I see how it's supposed to work, and Rich found me a short little YouTube video of a guy using one, so I watched that, but I have a few (hopefully) basic questions. The pamphlet says to avoid using water to clean the udder before using the milker, because dirty water can get sucked into the inflations if the hairs get sucked in there and contaminate the milk. Well, they don't know my cows. I can't IMAGINE not using water to clean their udders (just Cricket right now, but OMG). While handmilking it's not the least bit of a problem because there's no suckage going on, but those damp dirty hairs MIGHT get sucked in, right? What's the solution? Clip the hair? I'm hesitant to do that in the winter, but I guess if I have to, I will.
Also, I asked the guy at Hamby's what the bottom end was, temperature wise, for operation, and he said FORTY DEGREES? That means I can't milk in the morning OR evening until sometime in JUNE. (I'm exaggerating slightly...) What's the fix for that? Rich is thinking of building a little house for the motor right up in the front corner of the stanchion area, and could possibly rig up a 60W or 75W bulb inside with the motor to keep it warm. Would that be sufficient if it was 15 or 20 below zero? Could I even USE it at those kinds of temps? I'm thinking the rubber on the inflations might freeze or become too rigid to use or be just plain too cold to touch a teat with.
As to the inflations, I don't know what size these are, but is it likely they'll fit both my girls? Bandit has fatter teats than Cricket, so do I have to switch them out, one set for each of them? When I'm milking them both, I'll have to be able to do something right there in the barn, or else haul it all back to the house, do whatever, and haul it all back to the barn.
And how will I know when it's finished? The hoses are black rubber, but I've heard something about clear silicone? Would it be a good idea to try to find clear tubing for those so I can see when the milk stops in each one?
I just have a million questions, and I don't know where to start. I'm SO GRATEFUL to have this, though. My hands have been giving me so much trouble lately, it's all I can do to get Cricket's morning and evening gallon milked out. I'm sure the cold isn't helping, but I've been near tears by the time I'm finished stripping her out, and my hands are so shot from the twice a day milking that I'm having trouble doing other common tasks with my hands. I do NOT want to end up a cripple, so I think this machine is going to be the answer to my prayers! If I can just figure out how to use it.
Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated!
~Lannie