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11/12/05, 02:29 AM
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In Remembrance
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 6,844
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Inexpensive Milking Machine
From time to time I get an e-mail asking if I know of an inexpensive, self-contained, electric-driven, milking machine for one or two cows. By the time you purchased a surge milker and equipment you are looking at several thousand for new. I saw one in Croatia in 2001 but apparently they do not export - at least to U.S.
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11/12/05, 04:56 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Alabama
Posts: 106
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I was interested in the same thing and have not found one in US. I did find a small milker in the UK but it was designed for 230v 50 Hz so you would have to have a power converter. It seems the Brit's are ahead of us in this technology and are more serious "homesteaders"
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11/12/05, 07:03 AM
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Very Dairy
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dysfunction Junction
Posts: 14,603
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Auctions!!! 
I bought 6 Surge buckets, most with pulsators and shells (one had been set up to use as a sick cow bucket in a parlor, and came with a claw instead) for $35. I bought new inflations for the one I use, and a new lid gasket and surcingle. Less than $40 altogether, if I remember correctly.
Surge Alama vacuum pump, sans motor, $50. A new 3 hp motor for it was around $150, I think.
Six stanchions and drinking cups, $45.
This morning, I'm going to a sale to look at a 500-gallon Van Vetter bulk tank. Anyone know what it might be worth? It was used for a goat dairy. I'm thinking because it's small, the price might be right.
I haven't given up my dream of milking my own herd someday, especially now that I have THREE freaking Holsteins!
And if that doesn't work out, perhaps I could sell it to a fellow homesteader!
There is a Surge RV BB2 vacuum pump in this sale, too, and a pump for a pipeline system, as well as goat stanchions.
Will be interesting to see what everything goes for ...
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"I love all of this mud," said no one, ever.
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11/12/05, 02:16 PM
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Mrs. no longer OldGrouch.
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: AR
Posts: 394
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Michael Perry in Jennings LA sells rebuilt milkers for cows and goats...I found him through eBay...WE bought one and it is GREAT...and it was under $600 last year prices...and he gives a warrenty also...I have nothing but good to say about him and his product...MissKItty 
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11/12/05, 04:48 PM
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Very Dairy
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dysfunction Junction
Posts: 14,603
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The bulk tank went for $500. There was only one bidder -- one of the auctioneer's ringmen -- who got it for his opening bid. Maybe it will show up in another sale down the line? 
I didn't stay for the rest of the equipment, as I wasn't feeling well. So I went expecting to blow a grand or so, and spent $5 for some buckets instead. 
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"I love all of this mud," said no one, ever.
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11/13/05, 08:20 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,441
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by MissKitty
Michael Perry in Jennings LA sells rebuilt milkers for cows and goats...I found him through eBay...WE bought one and it is GREAT...and it was under $600 last year prices...and he gives a warrenty also...I have nothing but good to say about him and his product...MissKItty |
I also bought a complete rebuilt surge belly milker system from a man on ebay. It works great and it was less than $600. Ofcourse you have to pay shipping and that adds more, but it is still a good deal.
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11/13/05, 09:24 AM
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In Remembrance
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 6,844
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What I am looking for a source for is a completely self-contained unit. The one I saw in Croatia had a collection jar at one end, vacumm system in the middle and an electrical motor on end. All was on a cart.
After I returned a distant cousin in Canada said they were going to the village. I had them get the manufacturer information off the unit. It is make in a city about ten miles away, so he went there and talked with the manager. Send me information on it, but it is all in Croatian, which I don't speak or read.
I briefly toyed with the idea of importing it without the motor and then putting on a 110v, 60 hz motor. However, importing would be a huge hassle, as would parts and customer support.
Cannot figure out how to load picture. To see it you can e-mail me at scharabo@aol.com and I'll send picture as attachment. This was a one-at-a-time cow unit.
Last edited by Ken Scharabok; 11/13/05 at 09:28 AM.
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11/13/05, 01:13 PM
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In Remembrance
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 6,844
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Linn: Thank you. It appears he takes used surge buckets and modifies them to be self-contained.
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11/13/05, 03:37 PM
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Mrs. no longer OldGrouch.
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: AR
Posts: 394
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Also he has parts if needed that you can order and it gets there quickly...I got his phone number here if you would like it...MissKItty
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11/13/05, 05:25 PM
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Seeking Type
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: New York
Posts: 2,102
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Inexpensive I am not familiar with, but parts dept has a milker, not inexpensive but they seem to have power. I bought mine there, the biggest they sell. You can milk up to 4 at a time, balence tank is on the unit, it is self contained. But @ 2195.00 it isn't cheap.
Jeff
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"Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" Patrick Henry, March 23rd, 1775
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11/13/05, 05:49 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,441
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The one advertised on ebay is $625. No, it is not cheap, but it is a good unit. I have one and it works like a new one. You get everything you need to get you started. By the time you gather and pay for the parts to put a milker together you will be spending that much or more and still may not have a good milker. This one is guaranteed, I believe.
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11/17/05, 02:50 PM
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Max
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Near Traverse City Michigan
Posts: 6,560
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by willow_girl
Auctions!!!
I bought 6 Surge buckets, most with pulsators and shells (one had been set up to use as a sick cow bucket in a parlor, and came with a claw instead) for $35. I bought new inflations for the one I use, and a new lid gasket and surcingle. Less than $40 altogether, if I remember correctly.
Surge Alama vacuum pump, sans motor, $50. A new 3 hp motor for it was around $150, I think.
Six stanchions and drinking cups, $45.
This morning, I'm going to a sale to look at a 500-gallon Van Vetter bulk tank. Anyone know what it might be worth? It was used for a goat dairy. I'm thinking because it's small, the price might be right.
I haven't given up my dream of milking my own herd someday, especially now that I have THREE freaking Holsteins!
And if that doesn't work out, perhaps I could sell it to a fellow homesteader!
There is a Surge RV BB2 vacuum pump in this sale, too, and a pump for a pipeline system, as well as goat stanchions.
Will be interesting to see what everything goes for ... |
lol, your enthusiasm gave me a chuckle. you said you are looking at a bulk tank. does it come with the compressor? I cant imagine a complete unit that size costing much more than $1000. My dad had a 400 gallon sunset tank he was trying to sell for $400 with no compressor. I bought it from him to store maple sap in. If the tank you ar looking at doesnt have a compressor, my dad has one that we put a new copeland pump on, and only used it one year. the pump cost us $1200.
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11/18/05, 02:33 PM
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Very Dairy
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dysfunction Junction
Posts: 14,603
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When it comes to cows, I am nothing but enthusiasm!
MichiganFarmer, if you and your spouse ever get over in this area, please feel free to drop in at the Home for Wayward Holsteins, located just 1 mile south of M-55 on 9 Mile between Lake City and Houghton Lake!
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"I love all of this mud," said no one, ever.
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