The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: angie on October 24, 2018, 06:40:51 am

Title: Milking machines
Post by: angie on October 24, 2018, 06:40:51 am

Hi, I broke my wrist last year and can now only milk one handed as to painful to use and weaker now.
It wasn't a great problem, only took longer milking time, however I am now milking three goats so am looking into  using some sort of milking aid. A milking machine is a bit of over kill with just three goats to milk and is quite expensive, so am looking alternative ideas. Has anyone else had success with alternative milking equipment that they have used successfully that you could recommend.

Many thanks with winter round the corner, and my other hand starting to ache now need to do something.

Angie

Title: Re: Milking machines
Post by: Anke on October 24, 2018, 11:15:23 am

A proper milking machine is the best investment you can make in goat keeping - it not only means you can milk more goats (or even just a couple of high yielders) even when your hands/wrists are packing in (as mine are), but it also means that you can have another person doing your milking if you are away, either as an emergency or planned.


They are expensive to buy, but well maintained they last forever and keep their value. Secondhand ones are like hens' teeth - so that tells you that people who buy one keep it!

Title: Re: Milking machines
Post by: Rosemary on October 24, 2018, 11:58:57 am

We have this one https://tim-gibson.com/products/mini-milker/ for the cows. There's a two cluster version for goats. We've had ours for five years and it works really well.

Title: Re: Milking machines
Post by: Rupert the bear on October 24, 2018, 08:05:43 pm

Quote from: Rosemary on October 24, 2018, 11:58:57 am

We have this one https://tim-gibson.com/products/mini-milker/ for the cows. There's a two cluster version for goats. We've had ours for five years and it works really well.

I agree, we have one for the goats ( 2 cluster )  in the 20 odd years we've replaced the clusters when needed and the silicon pipes when its needed, I have a spare set of pump vanes, not yet needed, Motor and switches are original as well. Best milker I ever bought , apart from Mrs RTB that is  ( the milker was cheaper though )

Title: Re: Milking machines
Post by: Lesley Silvester on October 25, 2018, 12:29:39 am

I had a Dansha one from the states which is fine for just a few goats as it only does one at a time. I did intend selling it and a couple of TASers were interested but I can't remember who. It's still available if they want to to try again.

Title: Re: Milking machines
Post by: angie on October 25, 2018, 12:00:51 pm

Hi Mad goat woman I have sent you a pm

Angie

Title: Re: Milking machines
Post by: Lesley Silvester on October 25, 2018, 10:42:03 pm

Quote from: angie on October 25, 2018, 12:00:51 pm

Hi Mad goat woman I have sent you a pm

Angie

Replied.

Title: Re: Milking machines
Post by: angie on October 26, 2018, 06:28:53 pm

Hi Leslie sent you another pm

Angie