Abstract: A modular milking parlor has a rigid frame on which the components of the milking parlor such as milking stations and cow control systems are mounted. The milking parlor frame includes a rectangular frame base and upright members extending upwardly from the frame base. The modular parlor can be conveniently shipped as a unit by attaching wheeled carriages to the frame of the modular parlor and elevating the milking parlor by operating jacks on the carriages attached to the wheels. The modular milking parlor as supported by the wheels may be rolled to a truck which transports the modular parlor to the installation site, and can be rolled on the wheels from the truck to the position at which the modular parlor is to be installed, at which point the carriage jacks are operated to drop the modular parlor on the ground, and the carriages are removed.

Abstract: A modular milking parlor has a rigid frame on which the components of the milking parlor such as milking stations and cow control systems are mounted. The milking parlor frame includes a rectangular frame base and upright members extending upwardly from the frame base. The modular parlor can be conveniently shipped as a unit by attaching wheeled carriages to the frame of the modular parlor and elevating the milking parlor by operating jacks on the carriages attached to the wheels. The modular milking parlor as supported by the wheels may be rolled to a truck which transports the modular parlor to the installation site, and can be rolled on the wheels from the truck to the position at which the modular parlor is to be installed, at which point the carriage jacks are operated to drop the modular parlor on the ground, and the carriages are removed.

Abstract: A replaceable air filter system for milking machine pulsators has a base with an internal channel that communicates with the air inlet of a milking machine pulsator when the base is mounted on the pulsator. An air filter section is releasably mounted to the base and includes a case, air filter medium attached to the case, and a connector extending from the case which connects to an open bore of the base. The air filter section can be releasably secured to the base. The air filter medium may be formed of multi-fold filter material to provide a large area filter for the input air. When the filter medium is saturated or clogged, an operator can detach the air filter section from the base and replace it with a new air filter section quickly and conveniently.

Abstract: The position and movement of cows in a herringbone type milking parlors is controlled with a brisket bar apparatus having a barrier which extends along the length of the milking parlor at the height of the brisket of the cows to hold the cows in their proper position within the milking parlor during the milking operation. The brisket bar barrier can be formed of sheet metal having sloped surfaces facing the cows so that no sharp edges or corners are presented to the cows on which the cows could be injured, and to make it difficult for the cows to obtain a foothold to try to climb over the brisket bar barrier. The brisket bar barrier is mounted between vertical support posts on swinging channel members that allow the barrier to be driven a selected distance inwardly toward the cows after they have entered the milking parlor to urge the cows into the proper alignment.

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.

Abstract: After a cow has been milked out and the milking claw has been detached from the cow, the milking vacuum to the claw is shut off and a cleansing solution mixed with air is forced through a portion of the milk line and out through the claw and the teat cup inflations. The cleansing liquid may contain a disinfectant such as iodine to control the transmission of infection from cow to cow carried by the surfaces of the teat cup inflations. A blast of cleansing and drying air is provided following the cleaning cycle to force out any remaining liquid in the milk line, claw and inflations, to thereby eliminate residual disinfectant in these parts. The apparatus is capable of use with automatic detaching equipment, wherein it automatically shuts off the milking vacuum as the milking claw is detached, provides the cleansing liquid and blow out air in timed sequence, and resets to await initiation of another milking cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus used in conjunction with milking machines for automatically stimulating the cow to facilitate milk let-down. Upon initiation of the milking cycle, the apparatus provides a controlled higher than atmospheric pressure to the air intake port of the vacuum line pulsator. An alternating vacuum and air pressure is thereby applied between the teat cup shell and inflation to provide a massaging action which causes stimulation of the cow and full milk let-down. Timing means are provided in the apparatus to shut off the air pressure to the pulsator a selected period of time after initiation of the stimulation, and to thereafter supply filtered atmospheric air to the pulsator to allow milking to continue in the usual manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing the milk flow from an animal being milked, and for detaching the teat cups from the udder of the animal after the milk flow has substantially stopped. Sensing of the milk flow and detachment of the teat cups is accomplished with pneumatic controls, without the use of any electrical circuitry. Means are provided to shut off the milking vacuum to the teat cups to aid in detachment of the teat cups from the animal.