Abstract
Vacuum fluctuation during milking, milking rate, efficiency of milking operation and effects on udder health were observed before and after milking equipment was renewed.
The main points of the renewal were (1) dropping the set vacuum level, (2) lowing the position of the recording jar, (3) increasing the number of milking units, (4) enlargement of the vacuum pump capacity, (5) narrowing the pulsator ratio and (6) enlargement of the inside diameter of vacuum and milk pipe lines.
The results of the above change in milking equipment in the milking parlor can be summarized as follows:
i) Vacuum drops in the short milk tube during maximum milking rate were not so great in the new equipment.
ii) The milking rate for individual cows became slightly slower; however, the total time for milking operation and the number of cows milked per man-hour were improved after renewal.
iii) The percentage of mastitis quarters in those quarters tested showed no difference between before and after renewal. The average cell count in quarter milk for one month after renewal was still high, though with a tendency towards decline.
iv) Evidence of udder irritation after renewal suggests that it takes several weeks for both animal and operator to adapt to new equipment.
