
David R. Bray2
Download the pdf to get the best form click HERE.
This fact sheet is to be used in conjunction with DS-4, Milking Machine and Equipment Analysis, which gives background information and explains how to carry out the system checks.
Farm _____________________________________________________ Date ____________________________
Parlor or Barn No. _________________________
1.Pump #1
Make ____________________________ Model __________________________ HP ____________________
CFM (A.S.M.E.) @ 15" Hg ___________________________ Type ___________________________________
Remarks ___________________________________________________________________________________
CFM at operating vacuum level ______________________________________ @ ____________________" Hg
Pump #2
Make ___________________________ Model ___________________________ HP ____________________
CFM (A.S.M.E.) @ 15" Hg _________________________ Type____________________________________
Remarks __________________________________________________________________________________
CFM at operating vacuum level ___________________________________ @_______________________" Hg
Pump #3
Make __________________________ Model __________________________ HP _____________________
CFM (A.S.M.E.) @ 15" Hg_________________________ Type ____________________________________
Remarks ___________________________________________________________________________________
CFM at operating vacuum level ____________________________________ @ _____________________" Hg
Pump #4
Make __________________________ Model __________________________ HP ______________________
CFM (A.S.M.E.) @ 15" Hg __________________________ Type ____________________________________
Remarks ___________________________________________________________________________________
CFM at operating vacuum level ___________________________________ @ _____________________" Hg
Total Pump CFM's ___________________________, (Pumps used for milking, not spares)
2.System vacuum level ____________________ " Hg. System vacuum gauge level _______________________" Hg.
3. System Check
All regulators closed off or removed. Flow meter in receiver jar if possible, or in controller opening.
Pulsators off, units in milk mode. Claws shut off or hoses taped shut: results should be within 10% of pump capacity.
System check _________________________ CFM, Pump CFM's ______________________ -System check
CFM's = ___________________________ CFM leaks.
4. Vacuum Controller Response
Regulators installed, system as in system check, flow meter in receiver jar. Air admitted into flow meter in 10 CFM bursts up to 75% of system capacity. Vacuum gauge on flow meter should not deviate more than + or -.5" Hg.
Controller Response __________________________________ good or poor. Controllers clean? _________________
5. Vacuum Controller Leakage (optional)
Set up as in #3 above. Take CFM at .5" Hg. below system vacuum level (a) ______________________ CFM A.S.M.E. Set system as in #3 above and record CFM's at 0.5" Hg below system vacuum level (b) ____________________ CFM.
Leakage = a - b = __________________________ CFM.
Some diaphragm controllers use 10 CFM to clean themselves.
6. Pulsators
How many pulsators? _____________ Make _____________ Type: Vacuum or electric ___________________
Air vents or caps clean and area free of cobwebs? _________________________________________________
Pulsation rate and ratio: (see Table 1 )
7. Cluster
Holes or collapsed air hoses? ___________________________
All claw or liner vents open? ___________________________ Both? ___________________________
Vacuum shut offs on claw or milk hoses? ___________________________ Used? ___________________________
Liners changed at 1200 cow intervals? ___________________________
Liners free of tears or holes and in good condition? ___________________________
8. ATO's
Are sensor jars clean? ___________________________
Floats installed correctly? ___________________________
Sensors level and secure? ___________________________
Sensors installed as low as possible? ___________________________
Milk hoses in sensors or milk hoses at crimp off point collapsed? ___________________________
9. Milk Line
Diameter ___________________________"
Dead end ___________________________, Looped ___________________________
Slope ___________________________" per 10 feet
Inlets at top of line ___________________________
10. Vacuum Supply Lines
Diameter - Pump to trap ___________________________"
Is this pipe cleanable? ___________________________
Ever been cleaned? ___________________________ How often? ___________________________
11. Pulsator Lines
Diameter ___________________________" .
Looped ___________________________
Cleanable ___________________________
Ever been cleaned? ___________________________ How often? ___________________________
12. Stray Voltage
Milk line to claw ___________________________ Volts A.C. - not to exceed 0.5 Volts A.C.
Claw to floor ___________________________
Bulk tank outlet to milk house drain or floor ___________________________ Volts A.C.
13. Wash System
Hot H 2 O temperature ___________________________°F
Air injector working? ___________________________
Air injectors in clean place and filters clean if present? ___________________________
Are teat dippers washed daily? ___________________________
Pulsator Rate and Ratio
1 Rate |
Ratio |
2 Rate |
Ratio |
3 Rate |
Ratio |
4 Rate |
Ratio |
5 Rate |
Ratio |
6 Rate |
Ratio |
7 Rate |
Ratio |
8 Rate |
Ratio |
9 Rate |
Ratio |
10 Rate |
Ratio |
11 Rate |
Ratio |
12 Rate |
Ratio |
13 Rate |
Ratio |
14 Rate |
Ratio |
15 Rate |
Ratio |
16 Rate |
Ratio |
17 Rate |
Ratio |
18 Rate |
Ratio |
19 Rate |
Ratio |
20 Rate |
Ratio |
21 Rate |
Ratio |
22 Rate |
Ratio |
23 Rate |
Ratio |
24 Rate |
Ratio |
25 Rate |
Ratio |
This document is DS5, one of a series of the Animal Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date April 1985. Revised June 2009. Reviewed February 2012. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
David R. Bray, Dairy Extension Agent, Milking Management and Mastitis Specialist, Dairy and Poultry Science Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal
Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational
information and other services only to individuals and institutions
that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed,
color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital
status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations.
For more information on obtaining other extension publications,
contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service,
University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative
Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place,
Dean.