The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: jinglejoys on July 13, 2014, 07:28:13 pm

Title: Small milking machines
Post by: jinglejoys on July 13, 2014, 07:28:13 pm
I thought I'd start a thread for reviews or ideas about small milking machines hand pumped or otherwise

I have the UddelyEZ hand held one which I find very usefull as it can be removed easily whilst in use and is very clean to use.I especially like the silocon cup which is softer on the udder than the hard syringes on a lot of hand milker. The parts are easy to buy but I have found the "claw" that holds the bottle in place breaks easily.

My best milking machine was the Smallholder one built by Jon Norris in the 70's,that was electric,simple to use and easily carried but no longer made so hard to get repaired

I've found this in my searches for something the same......   Quik Milker (Sorry you'll have to google it I can't get my bloomin computer to paste the link.
It is interesting because it comes in footpump,battery and electric version.It also has the silacon cups.My only worry would be the milking lines which seem a bit long...anyone tried one? I thought I might try the top and attachments at first and attatch it to my Smallholder.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: Dogwalker on July 13, 2014, 08:53:23 pm
I've got an old electric bucket milker, bought from someone on here.
The cluster is an adapted cow set. I bought new silicon cups from a local dairy supplies place that would also service it if needed.
It's noisy and the motor / pump part is definately not moveable.  The bucket is really a bit big for what I need and if it was full I wouldn't lift it.  But it does the job well and I'm skint so that;s what I've got for now.

Could you replace the syringe type cups with silicon ones with a suitable sized adapter if needed?
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: Trixie on July 13, 2014, 09:28:23 pm
Hi it looks like the Dansha farm one. www.danshafarm.com (http://www.danshafarm.com).
The pipes aren't too long it keeps the jar clear from kicking feet.  They are also on ebay from America under £40 Battery and hand pump I don't know if you can get electric/footpump, teet cups are syringe ends in different sizes works fine, a few people on here have one now.  You could get stung for import tax though, I bought mine secondhand but the original purchaser did get an import charge.  Apparantly the after sales customer service for this one is excellent too.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: plumseverywhere on July 15, 2014, 06:40:52 pm
I have the DANSHA one and I'm incredibly impressed :)  My wrists were so bad with hand milking that I nearly had to give up goats but this has changed everything and Now that the goat is well used to the machine, her 'let down' is very quick and we soon have 2 jars full.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: jinglejoys on July 16, 2014, 08:46:42 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfFmZD4OeoQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfFmZD4OeoQ)
How to make the battery powered one
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: jinglejoys on July 16, 2014, 08:53:40 pm
I think this is getting closer to the Smallholder idea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWl4dR8vXqw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWl4dR8vXqw)   except not living in the USA not sure how easy the pump etc is to get
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: shygirl on July 16, 2014, 08:56:12 pm
i was considering the udderlyezy too, for the cow.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: Buttermilk on July 17, 2014, 12:49:35 pm
What these devices are missing is a pulsator.  If you get to see commercial milking machines, goat, sheep or cow you will notice that the milk is let down in the no vacuum stage of the cycle.  Continuous vacuum will only damage the teats by preventing blood flow.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: Anke on July 17, 2014, 03:43:21 pm
We bought a portable milking machine/trolley about three years ago - I have carpal tunnel syndrome  in both hands, and now osteoarthritis as well, so can only ever milk two to three goats max - with the machine I have done up to seven, all hand stripped at the end though.

We saw the milking machine as much as investment into our marriage as our smallholdiing.... it means I can be away without problems at milking time, both my daughters (now 11 and almost 13) can operate the machine by themselves, as can our occasional farm sitters (my parents). I can go to shows with some of my milkers without any problems at home (OH doesn't do hand-milking)...

I love my milking machine! ;D
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: jinglejoys on July 17, 2014, 08:40:12 pm
That's OK if you can lift the bloomin things and you have a goat that gives 3gallons of milk at a milking but if you are like me and won't cross the milk  to other goats its not much use...actually the QuikMilker in one of its designs does come with a pulsator but with a price to make your heart pulsate ;)
As a point of interest has anyone ever seen a review where it says the non pulsator ones damages the teats because my smallholder one never did?
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: jinglejoys on July 17, 2014, 08:51:00 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coy7MblJKBc#t=108 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coy7MblJKBc#t=108)

  Another version (not sure about the "simulated Pulsation"
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: Lesley Silvester on July 19, 2014, 11:26:34 pm
That is the same basic idea as the Dansha one which I have. I love mine because Cloud has such tiny teats that I can't hold them with more that one finger and thumb. I still handmilk Pom as I enjoy doing it but I suspect that, my hands being the way they are, I would have trouble milking two goats.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: tizaala on August 03, 2014, 01:16:38 pm
This set-up was donated to me about 5 years ago , The vacuum pump must be getting on 70 years old , the motor had to be replaced as it had been sitting  outside for many years before I got hold of it. Bucket and cluster  were from another friend, cups and liners were new last year,
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: tizaala on August 03, 2014, 01:19:38 pm
Due to the file allowance I have to post single photos. even after drastic cropping.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: tizaala on August 03, 2014, 01:21:37 pm
Wow , I got 2 on then.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: jinglejoys on September 26, 2014, 03:53:07 pm
http://www.simplepulse.net/ (http://www.simplepulse.net/)     Look what I found (With a pulsator to for those of you that insist on such things ;)  )
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: jaykay on September 26, 2014, 04:22:53 pm
I use the UdderlyEz to milk my two goats. I find it very easy and you can get parts and mend it. No tubes to clean, the milk goes straight into the bottle and the bottles into the fridge or freezer.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: jinglejoys on September 26, 2014, 05:25:23 pm
Me too  :wave:
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: Lesley Silvester on September 26, 2014, 09:15:26 pm
I still like my Dansha machine. I know it doesn't pulse but Cloud doesn't seem to mind and she hates being hand milked.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: Dogwalker on September 26, 2014, 09:42:45 pm
Is the udderly EZ ok for arthritic hands?  It still involves hand pumping doesn't it.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: Talana on September 26, 2014, 10:12:12 pm
I don't know much about milking machines but had a look at the dansha video,  my thinking with these small milking machines aren't you, the operator the pulsator as you switch the button of the vacuum on and off ? just a thought I just hand milk but am considering a milking machine in the future. Good to know others experiences.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: Lesley Silvester on September 27, 2014, 03:22:37 pm
No, the button starts the suction off then it continues for a while. You just have to press the button occasionally to get the milk flowing again.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: jaykay on September 27, 2014, 04:37:39 pm
Yes, the UdderlyEz is a handpump. I have quite badly arthritic hands and don't find it a problem, but I suppose it depends which joints hurt. If you can squeeze a tennis ball, that sort of action, you can use the UEz.
It actually hurts my hands a lot less than hand milking. 
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: jinglejoys on September 30, 2014, 09:36:56 pm
Yep same as Jay ...but they do make another version now http://www.udderlyez.com/ultimate_ez_milker.php (http://www.udderlyez.com/ultimate_ez_milker.php)
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: Dogwalker on October 01, 2014, 12:59:32 pm
A bit pricey though.
Title: Re: Small milking machines
Post by: jinglejoys on October 01, 2014, 08:24:09 pm
Yes but well made and unfortunately no one in the UK has come up with a cheaper alternative except for Jon Norris in the 70's :)