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farmlife
1413 Posts
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 Posted - Dec 28 2014 : 7:23:38 PM
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I understand that most heavy duty milking machines like the one in MaryJane's book work on a pulsating system. Most of the simpler machines work on a vacuum, like the Ultimate Udderly EZ Milker or this one that MaryJane posted for me to check out.
https://quikmilker.com/products/8-foot-pump-milking-system.html
I have read mixed reviews on how the vacuum systems affect the overall condition of the teats. Has anyone using a vacuum pump noticed any leakage from the teat when you aren't milking or anything else that would indicate any damage?
It seems like a good idea to have a milk machine that is controlled by a foot pump so my hands would be free. I also like the idea of not needing power, and I like the glass jars for easy cleaning or even replacement if need be. I can't find any videos demonstrating the quik milker with the foot pump, however, and I would really like to see it in action. I'm not sure how the vacuum gauge works or what exactly it's measuring. Do you control how much you pump with your foot based on the reading? In that way it seems easier to just set a pump to regulate it like the Ultimate EZ. Any thoughts? |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Dec 28 2014 : 8:57:57 PM
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| Hi Keeley. I've only used the Ultimate EZ milker (vacuum) milker, so I have nothing to compare it to. However I have not had any leakage of milk from teats. Only time that has happened was when the udders were extremely full of milk. You have to keep the gauge needle at the signified level. If I thought there could be damage from the vacuum milker on the cow teats, I would quit using it. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Dec 29 2014 : 07:11:51 AM
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Hi Keeley, I also wondered about vacuum vs. pulsating in a milking machine because a calf's action pulsates. But knowing that a breast pump for women works on the principal of suction and not pulsation (and a child's action pulsates also), I decided to try it. I've never had any problems whatsoever.
I don't know exactly how the QuikMilker works because I have yet to buy one. I assume it's like the hand crank model Ron sent me. In other words, I don't think you have to pump your foot the entire time, just enough to maintain suction. Here's a video of the hand crank model in use. I like the idea of the foot pump better because both my hands would be free.
http://easyhandmilker.com/our-product/ |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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farmlife
1413 Posts
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Posted - Dec 29 2014 : 08:04:41 AM
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| That makes sense, MaryJane. It's one more thing to practice and coordinate, but I think in time it would become second nature. Hmm. One thing is for sure. I like the price of both, as opposed to an industrial machine. |
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Mike
1667 Posts
Mike
Argyle
WI
United States of America
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 03:06:52 AM
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I ended up here for some reason. Went to the easyhandmilker video and you can't see much. He just moves around but the details are not shown. Is he milking one or two teats? What is he pumping on?
Pulsator vs. vacuum. A standard machine uses both. The pulsation inflates and deflates the teat cup while a constant vacuum is applied to the container/bottle/can.
Looks like a neat setup though. Better vid would be nice. |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 04:49:42 AM
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| I actually bought one of the easy hand Milkers and did not care for it. Never used it but the unit just looked cumbersome and not built for the long haul. |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 06:48:29 AM
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| That looks like a back killer. I think that would be heavier than what I carry now. The wood carrier looks cumbersome. IMO |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 07:03:38 AM
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| The test cups looked small and the whole deal just seemed like more work in ten below zero weather than just sitting down and milking the cow out.... |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 07:18:20 AM
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| I hear you. I make two trips usually. Two milk cans, bag with cow white terry clothes/olive oil/Dynamint/gloves/CMT and solution/equip. etc. and bucket of feed/alfalfa pellets the first trip, then I go back and get the milking machine and my bucket of teat wash water. Always nice and warm. Then do the reverse when I go back to house. When Joe is here in the morning he usually helps. I do it alone at night. But that wooden carrier for the milking above looks too bulky. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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Mike
1667 Posts
Mike
Argyle
WI
United States of America
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 08:55:58 AM
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Janet, that's quite a load. What machine do you use?
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 08:59:14 AM
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| The Ultimate EZ Milker. Works pretty slick. I was using just one bottle to milk, but Nellie is such a slow milker that I use two bottles now. Sienna's milk is getting used up by Autumn Cider. He'll be 4 months Feb. 12th. Sienna's teats are still looking good so will just let him continue for now. Goodness he's growing. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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Mike
1667 Posts
Mike
Argyle
WI
United States of America
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 09:24:10 AM
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Thanks for the info. We've just got the regular DeLaval bucket milker or the Armstrong milker.
Have a book to tell you about.....back on the regular *hit Chat page. |
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Mike
1667 Posts
Mike
Argyle
WI
United States of America
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 09:31:27 AM
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| It IS amazing how fast and large calves grow when left with ma. Our two bull calves are healthy and large, even with a mini sire. |
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tcboweevil
338 Posts
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 09:32:51 AM
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Autumn Cider is such a pretty name.
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 10:08:32 AM
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| Thank you Theresa. That's what color he looked like so... and it may have helped that I had just purchased Apple cider from our local apple orchard. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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farmlife
1413 Posts
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 4:06:02 PM
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| I think I'm going to get the Ultimate EZ milker too, Janet. It seems better to know that I'm getting Elli all milked out since I'm a newbie. |
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 4:26:03 PM
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| Hello Keeley. That's why I bought the Ultimate EZ. When Nellie had her calf, she had never been milked and wasn't exactly thrilled to have someone messing with her even though I had worked on her before the calf came. Then when I tried milking the colostrum, I realized I didn't have the hand strength. Now I feel confident that I could probably milk Nellie out but with two cows, it's just too much stress on my wrists and hands. My left hand is slowly curling shut. Dupuytren contracture I think. Anyway the EZ milker has been a great little milker. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
Edited by - NellieBelle on Jan 29 2015 4:30:10 PM |
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tcboweevil
338 Posts
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NellieBelle
11217 Posts
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 5:39:39 PM
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| Thanks Theresa. When I get time I will read more about it. I don't know enough about it. My dad had the same thing, both brothers and my older sister have it in their hands too. I only have it in one. I do stretch exercises for my hand but that's about it. Thanks for the links. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
Edited by - NellieBelle on Jan 29 2015 5:40:28 PM |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Jan 29 2015 : 6:18:42 PM
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| Wow...inflamed? Damaged with age? Wonder if thst exercise would work on my brain? |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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Vacuum Systems
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