Best Place To Buy Milk Machine

6e · #1 01/29/12, 08:59 AM

I cross posted this in the cattle area too. Wasn't sure which area might be best, so if you frequent both, just ignore the other thread.

Anyway, husband has agreed to let me get a portable milk machine which I am SO excited about!

The carpal tunnel in my wrists makes milking almost unbearable at times. So, I'm wondering, where is the best place, with the best price to buy portable milk machines? I would love one that could do cows and goats, but I'm mainly interested in the cows. They're harder on my wrists. Is there one that the inflations can be interchanged to go from goats to cows? So, any place you'd recommend?

R.Adams · #2 01/29/12, 09:25 AM

Any inflations you use on cows can also be used on your goats. Ours we have it split to do 2 goats at a time so it works well with doing a cow to.

Its not to difficult to build your own and you'll save yourself a ton of money doing so. You can put together a unit for under $500 yourself and thats with buying all parts new. You can also buy one already made for you from e-bay, $700-800 to partsdeptonline.com they have several units to choose from.

vicb66 · #3 01/29/12, 09:43 AM

I purchased my milk bucket and suppliesfrom Giles Dairy.They were the cheapest a couple of years ago..Found instructions on how to build the pump using car parts.The plans were on countryside magazines website.Also we've been using this set up for 3 years with no problem.

6e · #4 01/29/12, 10:02 AM

I've heard of people building their own, the problem is that I am milk machine setup illiterate. I have no clue how they work, what the specs are like pressure to maintain, etc. I've never even been around anyone using one. So.....I thought it'd be better to buy one that's set up for that purpose that also comes with an instruction manual. LOL I would love to save the money making one! Just not sure enough of myself to be able to do it and not hurt my poor cows in the process.

Alice In TX/MO · #5 01/29/12, 10:06 AM

Absolutely the best place is:

http://www.perrysmilkers.com/

sammyd · #6 01/29/12, 10:12 AM

I will say that most dairy supply places in your area can order stuff through catalogs for you if they don't carry something in their normal line of milking equipment.
They will be much more amenable to servicing your stuff later when it's got a few hours on it.
And although a lot of places don't have much experience with goats, they are usually part of a large network and can get any info you need.

FeminineFarmgir · #7 01/29/12, 01:22 PM

We purchased a CapraLite and it is absolutely wonderful - no complaints! We purchased the dual milker for our goats, but when they are dry we use it on our cow too.

vicb66 · #8 01/29/12, 01:41 PM

The home made one is seriously simple.It cost me about $25.00 in parts.

6e · #9 01/29/12, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FeminineFarmgir

We purchased a CapraLite and it is absolutely wonderful - no complaints! We purchased the dual milker for our goats, but when they are dry we use it on our cow too.

How long have you had it? I mostly need one to do two cows. I can get the kids to milk the goats, but not the cows and their teats are hard on my wrists and it takes me forever and a day to milk them out because of the pain in my wrists. I'd prefer one I could do two cows simultaneously.

Alice In TX/MO · #10 01/29/12, 07:11 PM

Had to giggle at "dairy supply places in your area." None here in *my* area at all.

FeminineFarmgir · #11 01/29/12, 09:25 PM

Quote:

How long have you had it? I mostly need one to do two cows. I can get the kids to milk the goats, but not the cows and their teats are hard on my wrists and it takes me forever and a day to milk them out because of the pain in my wrists. I'd prefer one I could do two cows simultaneously.

We have had the machine for almost 4 years and again, we are so happy with it! Furney Register is the man who makes them and personally answered any questions that we had getting started... http://capralite.com/default.htm

We purchased the dual milker w/ 6 gallon pail...so you can do 2 goats but just one cow...works well for the small farmer though!

Blessings,
Jenna

jamjam · #12 01/30/12, 05:47 AM

I bought mine off E-Bay. Surge belly milker, vacummn pump, the whole deal for $350.

saanengirl · #13 01/30/12, 08:51 AM

I love the Hoegger system. It is a bit pricier than some of the others, but the vacuum pump assembly is really compact and light weight compared to some of the others.

6e · #14 01/30/12, 09:09 AM

Thank you all for the input and the links. Much to think about. Some of the sites have some really good deals! I looked at Hoegger too, but they are so expensive! The nice thing about them though, is they have a system that will run two cows at the same time. That's tempting, but I am really want to save as much money as I can so I can put any extra he gives me into gardening stuff.

Hollowdweller · #15 01/30/12, 09:36 AM

OK

So here are the components of a milking machine.

First you have a vacuum pump. That is what gives you vaccuum. You can get a small vacuum pump cheap on ebay. I found one for $75 bucks that included a SS milking bucket in a local ad bulletin.

Next you connect the vacuum pump to a vacuum reserve tank. This is a tank that allows the system to build up vaccum and creates a cushion to prevent a lot of fluctuations that is hard on the teat end.

Mine is simply a captive air tank bought from Harbor Freight tools:

http://www.harborfreight.com/11-gall...ank-65595.html

Then you will have to remove the fittings on the tank and install a vaccum gauge stall cock for you to hook your bucket to and vaccum pressure regulator.

The top one on this page will work for a small milker

http://www.partsdeptonline.com/cgi-b...exact_match=on

Vacuum gauge

http://www.partsdeptonline.com/cgi-b...exact_match=on

Stall Cock

http://www.partsdeptonline.com/cgi-b...exact_match=on

Then you will need a long hose to connect to your bucket.

Finally you will need a bucket, a pulsator, milk line and inflations.

You can get a used bucket off of Ebay and set it up how you like.

I have a plastic bucket, it's the 65 lb poly one shown here

http://www.partsdeptonline.com/cgi-b...exact_match=on

I can't remember where I bought it but I also have the Interpulse plastic lid shown here but you can buy a stainless lid too. I just wanted something light.

http://www.interpuls.com/Livello.jsp?idFamiglia=22

Then you need the pulsator

I have the L80

http://www.partsdeptonline.com/cgi-b...exact_match=on

I like to use silicone milk line.

Then I like to use the silicone inflations.

I used to use a setup like the Silicone goat cluster shown here

http://www.partsdeptonline.com/cgi-b...exact_match=on

Except for I had clear silicone hoses instead of black and I used a twin set of tubing from my pulsator so the inflations pulsed alternatively. The above cluster is set up where both pulse simultaneously.

Nowdays instead of using a plastic Y to split the line I use the vanguard claw. More expensive but the Y is perfectly fine.

Let me know any questions.

You can go cheaper with a used bucket I just really like to see how much a goat is giving and like the clear lines and bucket.

Hollowdweller · #16 01/30/12, 10:03 AM

PS I meant to mention that on the cluster, like the one I mentioned I like to use the Automatic on/off milking claws because on a small system they prevent a lot of leakage of air when you are using a small vaccuum pump (mine is 1/3 hp) you need it.

These "Auto Valve Goat Claw"

http://www.partsdeptonline.com/cgi-b...exact_match=on