Buying the Best Portable Milking Machine

Every dairy farmer appreciates the service of a good milking machine. In fact, every farmer NEEDS only the best portable milking machine at the farm. Farmers who appreciate technology use milking machines for milking cows, goats, sheep and the other dairy animals they keep at the farm.

Machine milking has many advantages for the farmer including reducing the amount of labor required for hand milking. It cuts down the costs of operation and reduces the time required for milking.

Milk harvesting involves removal of milk from animals, transporting it to the storage chamber, and keeping it safe until such a time that the milk is ready for processing.

Even though the milk storage and cooling compartments are not part of the milking machine per se, they are essential for maintaining high quality of the product.

It makes no economic sense to have the best milking machine for milking high quality milk only to end up with a deteriorated quality due to poor storage.

Features of the best portable milking machine include:​

  1. One that is able to remove milk from the animal quickly
  2. Gentle and does not cause injury to the teats/udder
  3. Ease of cleaning and sanitation to avoid causing/spreading udder infections
  4. Safe to operate and does not degrade milk quality from the time of milking to delivery
  5. One whose design facilitates ease of use. Availability of technical assistance and/or spare parts for easy maintenance.
  6. Depending on the size of your herd, you may prefer to have a single or double milker.

Components of the milking machine​

To understand how you can tell apart the qualities of the best milking machine, we should begin by dissecting the machine to know the features to focus on.

A milking machine consists of several basic component groups that work together for an effective operation. They include:
  • Milking units
  • Vacuum production and control system
  • Milk transport system
  • Cleaning and sanitation systems
Milk Cooling and storage systems are very instrumental accessories to the milking machine, as they will enhance quality preservation. However, they are not necessary for the functionality of the milking machine.

All the parts complement each other for the functionality of the machine. The milking unit does the actual extraction of milk from the teats.

The milking unit on its own also consists of several parts that enables it to imitate the hand to extract milk. Let's have a closer look to understand how it works.

The milking unit has several parts including:​

  1. Four teat cups for cows (and two for goats, sheep, etc.). Each of the teat cups has a soft rubber liner mounting on the metal or plastic shell; this rubber lining is the only part of the machine that comes into contact with the udder.
  2. The claw, which collects milk from all of the teat cups
  3. Pulsation chamber. The pulsator uses air and vacuum to create pulsation, which creates suction force to draw milk from the teats.
  4. Connecting tubes for both air and milk.
The other supplementary components include regulators, balance tanks, and sanitary traps. They facilitate efficient operation of the milking unit and will help you produce clean and hygienic milk.
 

Looking for the best portable milking machine?​

Here is the list of the best portable milking machines from the industry's leading suppliers. Click on the link and you will be shown customer reviews for each machine.

1. Popsport Electric Milking Machine

This is one of the best portable milking machines out there. The vacuum power is strong enough to drain milk from the udder in record time. The vacuum gauge lets you observe the pressure levels to avoid wounding the teats.

This milking machine has a simplistic design with the milk bucket held in place on the platform for easy transportation. It also has very durable teat cups.

Supplied by Lotustar, this milking machine features the following:​

  • A 2L stainless steel milking bucket
  • Pulsation rate of 64 per minute
  • It has an operating vacuum capacity of 0.04-0.05MPa (adjustable)
  • With a motor speed of 1440 rpm/min, this milking machine draws only 0.55 KW of power and can handle about 10 - 12 cows every hour. Its speed makes it very efficient for small farms.
  • Simple design makes it easy to operate, clean and maintain.
  • Large sturdy wheels allow for easy handling and make the work of maintaining hygiene easier. This makes the machine ideal for producing high quality products under reduced cost.
  • This milking machine has a simple piston pump for easy operation and maintenance.
  • It is suitable for milking cows, sheep, and goats.

What you may not like about this milking machine​

You have to change the oil very often.

Handle the rubber parts with care. They need to be replaced as soon as they start to show signs of wear.

2. Tulsan Classic Portable Milking Machine

Tulsan manufactures some of the industry's best milking machines. They are compact and come with large wheels for easy pushing around in the milking shed.

Even though it has only one milk bucket on the platform, this milking machine comes with double milking claws for rapid milking. The parts are durable and easily interchangeable in case you develop a mechanical problem.

The manufacturer is very responsive when it comes to addressing customer issues. You are assured of getting value for the money.

This milking machine features the following:​

  • It has a single-phase 1430 RPM 340 HP electric motor that drives a 110V/60Hz dry pump. This milking machine has a pneumatic pulsator that enables it to milk two cows in 10 minutes and up to 17 cows in an hour.
  • It has a single 30L stainless steel bucket for sturdiness and quality assurance. The stainless-steel bucket comes with a silicone liner.
  • The whole setup measures 39 X 22.4 x 60 inches in dimensions and weighs only110 lbs.
  • With a two-year warranty, you are guaranteed to get value for your money.

What you may not like about it​

The machine does the work pretty fast but the singe bucket will be piece of work. You will have to empty it every so often when you are milking a larger herd or higher producers.

3. Gasoline + Electric Hybrid Vacuum Pump Milking Machine (Double Tanks)

This Milking machine is the best for farmers who live in areas with unreliable supply of electricity. It is perfect for farmers who practice mobile milking out in the field, as it has a gasoline powering option to take care of that mobility.

The double buckets mean that you can use it to milk several animals quickly without having to stop every often to empty the buckets. It also comes with two milking claws to ensure that you can milk two cows simultaneously at any given time.

This milking machine has the following features:​

  • Comes with two (2) 25L milk buckets and two milking claws that can handle two cows simultaneously at any given time.
  • Has a strong vacuum pump that produces between 0.04-0.05 MPa. You can adjust the vacuum levels to make the milking experience more comfortable to the cows.
  • Comes with an adjustable pulsator to suit your local needs.
  • The machine has a powerful 1440 rpm motor to deliver a fast milking experience (you can milk up to 24 cows every hour). Depending on your location and unique needs you can choose the most appropriate motor power and voltage rating. (there's a 50/60Hz option with 110V/220V/380V.
  • The gasoline engine has a 3.5L gasoline tank and delivers between 5.5 and 6.5 horsepower.

What you may not really like about this machine​

You have to contend with noise. You are going to need some effort pushing the 90 kilos around, especially if you are going to be milking out in the fields.

Additionally, the buckets do not have a platform on the same machine, so, you are going to be carrying them around as well.

4. Ecomilker Portable Electric Bucket Milker for Goats, Sheep, and Cows

This milking machine is manufactured by Interplus, one of the leading dairy equipment manufacturers. It has a single milk bucket on the platform and can only milk one cow at a time.

The motor generates enough vacuum to maintain a faster rate of milking for the herd. It has larger wheels for easy movement across the milking shed. This machine has a simplistic design, which eliminates much maintenance work and makes it more durable as it is not prone to break downs.

This milking machine has the following features:​

  • It comes fitted with a seamless poly-carbonate bucket with a libero milking lid.
  • It also has an L02 Pulsator to control the pulsation rates and a vacuum gauge to monitor the pressure. The vacuum has a regulator regulator for safety and balancing the pressure.
  • Ecomilker has a 110VAC 60hz motor for the system.
  • There is an option for single and a double milker. You can choose silicone sleeve goat/sheep claw, or the four teat Orbiter stainless steel cow claw.
  • It measures 36 x 18 x 24 inches and weighs only 120 pounds (net) and 125 pounds (gross).
If you are looking for the best portable milking machine that is also versatile, this is your choice.

5. Tulsan Mini Portable Milking Machine

This mini version of the Tulsan portable milking machine is perfect for all farm conditions. It has a powerful motor that is typical of Tulsan milking machines and can comfortably milk up to 50 gallons per minute despite its small size.

It is simplistic making it easy to clean maintain. Parts are available from almost all major stockists and online on Amazon, Ebay, and other related sites. You can easily regulate the vacuum to make it more comfortable on the teats while milking.

This milking machine has the following features:​

  • You can use to comfortably milk up to 10 cows per hour
  • Its simplistic design not only makes it user friendly but also very easy to maintain. It will save you a lot of time
  • This milking machine is not only suitable for everyday milking but also for milking sick animals
  • Its dimensions are 39”X 22" x 44 and it weighs only 112 pounds.
  • Comes with a 110V-60HZ pump and a 3/4 HP single phase electric motor (1430 RPM)
  • A single 8-gal stainless steel bucket with a rubber liner
  • It also has a pneumatic pulsator to boot
  • Do not forget that the machine has a two-year warranty.

6. CO-Z Stainless Steel Portable Milking Machine (Bucket Tank Barrel)

This set of milking machine parts comes with the bucket, the hose, the pulsator and the milking unit. It is compatible with majority of vacuum pumps in the market and makes the work of installing a working milking machine more fun.

You will have the parts and customize them the way you want to make the best portable milking machine to suit your farm needs.

You can weld the frame and bucket holding platform locally (which will significantly bring down the cost of the milking machine). Furthermore, you can customize the frame the way you want to suit your needs.

This milking machine has the following features:​

  • It is compatible with almost all kinds of vacuum pumps. The 25L stainless steel bucket is sturdy and easy to clean and the food grade hoses maintain high quality of the milk.
  • It has a 240cc stainless steel claw that is perfect for heavy duty milking.
  • The pneumatic pulsator is an L80, 65 pulses per minute working at 60/40 rate (adjustable).
  • The whole system weighs 17.6 pounds and measures 20.9 x 12.2 x 12.2 inches in dimensions.

The downside of this milking machine?​

  • It does not come with a vacuum pump, which you can purchase on Amazon, eBay or at the local shop.
  • You will also need to fabricate a frame for carrying the machine around the farm.

7. Rechargeable Goat, Sheep, and Cow Milking Machine

Developed by Dansha Farms in Florida with a pending patent. It is perfect for milking goats and sheep.

Actually, this is the machine you should get if you are wondering how you will harvest milk from your goats. The vacuum pump produces a stable vacuum for milking in a very short time.

It is simplistic and easy to clean and maintain. Your order will be shipped very fast.

Features of this portable milking machine:​

  • Very simple in design; anyone can use it.
  • Has a rechargeable battery pack to power the motor. Uses both 220 V and 110 V power outlets
  • Milks one to two gallons of milk with every charge cycle.
  • Sealed system to maintain high standards of product hygiene.
  • Portable and you can use it away from the barn, as it has a rechargeable power pack.

The downside of this milking machine?​

  • Some people may not like the idea that it does not have the vacuum gauge. This will force you to monitor the pressure manually during milking.
  • Another feature that one may have issue with is the fact that the tubes are cemented. You cannot detach them when you are cleaning the machine. This will force you to take extra care for cleaning the tubes to ensure your products are hygienic.

8. The Brute Milking Kit

Another one from Dansha Farms. This milking machine is perfect for milking the smaller stock like sheep and goats. The vacuum pump builds sufficient pressure for speedy milking.

This brute milking kit is also small enough to facilitate easy handling and mobility at the farm. It is easy to clean hence you can easily maintain high hygienic standards with this machine.

The Brute Milking Kit has the following features:​

  • Simple design that makes it suitable for use with the least technical experience.
  • Comes with half a gallon receptacle that is easy to clean
  • You can use a 110 V, 220 V, or even a 12 V battery power source.
  • 12 V vacuum pump is suitable for milking many animals.
  • Needs little maintenance and offers more protection to the milk to improve the product quality.

The downside?​

  • You must connect the machine to the mains outlet for it to operate.
 
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