Abstract: A milk weight metering apparatus (10) is disclosed which uses a standard glass milk weigh jar (14) which is suspended from a load cell weight measuring unit (15). A hydraulic output line (16) extends from the weight measuring unit (15) to a pressure transducer (17) at a position remote from the cow being milked, preferably outside the milking parlor. As milk accumulates within the milk weigh jar (14) greater pressure is provided on fluid sealed within a chamber defined by a load cell body (55) and a diaphragm (63), which pressure is transmitted through the hydraulic line (16) to the pressure transducer. The change in weight of the suspended weigh jar (14) after the milk has been accumulated therein will be proportional to the change in the pressure in the hydraulic line (16), allowing the weight, and thereby the volume, of the milk from the cow to be determined and recorded. The production from the cow may also be correlated with the cow's identity and the time of milking.

Abstract: An automated milking system is disclosed in which the milking vacuum applied from a vacuum line (18) through a milk flow valve (13) and the milk hose (17) to a teat cup cluster (12) is initially shut off after automatic detacher controls (11) provide a signal indicating the end of milking. Milk sweep controls (10) provide a signal to the drive cylinder (24) of the milk flow valve (13) either a selected period of time after the end of milking or upon receipt of milk sweep initiate signal from a condition responsive sensor in the parlor to cause the milk flow valve to be shifted to the position in which vacuum is applied to the milk hose (17) and teat cup cluster (12), thereby drawing out rest milk remaining in these components.