Keeping milking equipment from freezing

SJSFarm · #1 07/31/14, 07:19 PM

I have hand milked or made a simple pump that was easy to bring back and forth from the house to the barn.

Well now I have a milker; this one

http://www.simplepulse.net

It's not heavy, but it has two main components that have to be kept from freezing (vacuum pump and the pulsator part).

I really don't want to have to transport this twice daily to the barn.

Does anyone have an idea on how to keep the equipment from freezing? I thought about using a chest or upright freezer with some sort of heater just to keep it at 40-45, but I'm not sure if that's the best route.

**gone-a-milkin** · #2 07/31/14, 07:29 PM

A heat lamp inside of a plastic barrel, that is a common system I have seen.

Alice In TX/MO · #3 07/31/14, 09:54 PM

What would freeze that would be a problem?

**gone-a-milkin** · #4 07/31/14, 10:02 PM

The pulsator chamber gets condensation in there and it will freeze up real quick. BTDT
Actually the compressor can send a lot of moisture up into the whole system.
Depending how it is designed it doesn't always drain out very well.
Each one is a bit different.

Awnry Abe · #5 07/31/14, 11:08 PM

My pulsator is part of the claw, so I just bring the whole thing into the house. It is a major, major nuisance when even the slightest rinse water makes it into the air release tubes for the pulsation.

I also battle frozen condensation in the vacuum lines. I finally figured out a method to avoid it. The solution is unique to my set up, else I'd describe it.

Backfourty,MI. · #6 08/01/14, 11:33 AM

What about milking by hand during the winter months? I dry my girls off when it starts getting too cold so not sure other than a heater or carrying it back & forth to the house what you'll do.

SJSFarm · #7 08/01/14, 03:04 PM

The vacuum instructions clearly state not to allow to freeze.
I just want the product to work for a long time, so I'll follow the rules

!

As far as hand milking goes, for at least a short time, I'll have 10 milkers and I have carpal tunnel in one arm

.

I may try to pick up a defunct fridge or freezer and set up a incandescent light inside. I also need something that will protect the entire unit from dust, bugs and mice - not to mention Cookie who has springs for legs and keeps jumping over the doors!
She is darn adorable tho!

sammyd · #8 08/02/14, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Actually the compressor can send a lot of moisture up into the whole system.

There is no compressor in a milking system.
There is a vacuum pump and since it creates vacuum it does not send condensation into anything.
Moisture in the air will naturally be drawn into the system and create condensation.

You can either hump the system in and out of the parlor 2x a day or perhaps build a small heated "doghouse" for it..
A couple of pieces of plywood with some foam insulation glued to them nailed into a suitable structure would work.

**gone-a-milkin** · #9 08/02/14, 09:32 AM

Whoops!
I meant vacuum pump. Sorry for the confusion.
It still pulls air into the system through the little air holes though.

Pony · #10 08/02/14, 04:41 PM

I am really interested in this milker, and think we'll be saving to get it.

My thoughts on it, after looking at the videos, is that I want to get a handcart and mount the milker on that. That plan may change after we get the barn up.

SJSFarm · #11 08/02/14, 06:51 PM

It's quite light weight and I am very happy with how it works.

I sometimes work for a lady milking about 10 goats and 3 cows and she uses a duval type and this seams to work as well or better than hers. I can adjust the vacuum level, the cleaning is easy and the best of all, the doe stand still! This is why I ended up with her- she hated being machine milked from the rear and now stands perfectly for me!