The Portable milker has its own vacuum system, pulsation, milk reception/storage and milking equipment, all on a frame that can be easily transported and used wherever the animal is situated. The transport frames are mainly hot dipped galvanised or painted (other suppliers are plastic coated).
The vacuum pump is driven by a motor connected to the local mains electric supply, electric provided by a portable generator (a preferred option if no electric) or belt driven from a petrol/diesel engine attached to the portable frame (these can be cumbersome).
Each machine will have a gauge to display the vacuum level, a regulator to adjust the vacuum level and a pulsator. The pulsator is pneumatic and operates from the vacuum supply; it is important that the operator realises that the pulsation speed depends on the vacuum level. It is therefore important to set and regularly check the vacuum level and pulsation rate. Care must also be taken to minimise the amount of air that is admitted via the teat cups while the cluster is being applied to the animal, as it is easy for the operator to think the pulsator is not working properly until the vacuum has returned to the correct operating level.
If the animal is normally milked in a milking parlour as much attention as possible should be paid to minimising any differences. If vacuum, pulsation and liners are similar enough to the parlour it will help to reduce further stress on the animal.
While milking or washing it is vitally important that the bucket is not allowed to overfill, allowing liquid to enter the vacuum tank and if not careful then into the vacuum pump itself.
As with all equipment routine maintenance is essential. With portable milker’s it is important to ensure that all liners, gaskets and tubing are maintained in good condition. The vacuum supply tube from the machine to the buckets and the inside of the vacuum tank itself will require regular inspection and cleaning using a tube brush where necessary. Occasional inspection by a qualified milking machine engineer is advisable to ensure optimum performance is obtained. Milking liners will need to be changed every 2500 milking’s or every 6 months whichever comes first.