Milking Machine
Milking machines are used to harvest milk from cows. Some cows are milked by hand but dairy cattle are often milked by machine.
Most cows have four teats that supply milk. Milking machines are designed with four teat cups, composed of an inner rubber liner and an outer shell, usually made of metal. The rubber liner is relatively thin in the section that sits inside of the shell, while the liner’s tube below the shell is thicker rubber. The teatcups suction milk out of the cow's teats in a way that is comfortable and pain-free for the animal. Milking systems today are often controlled by computer systems that record production information and other cow statistics. After milking, the machine is thoroughly cleaned with hot water, soap, acid and germicide solutions.
History of Milking Machines
Before milking machines were invented, cows and other animals were milked by hand. In 1879, Anna Baldwin created a milking machine that replaced hand milking. Her milking machine was a vacuum device that connected to a hand pump. However, Anna's machine was not very successful. Improved milking machines appeared around 1890.
Price of Milking Machines
Farmers typically have multiple milking machines on their farm. One milking machine costs between $40,000 and $60,000. A large farm with one hundred cows might have about 10 milking machines.
History of Milking Machines
Before milking machines were invented, cows and other animals were milked by hand. In 1879, Anna Baldwin created a milking machine that replaced hand milking. Her milking machine was a vacuum device that connected to a hand pump. However, Anna's machine was not very successful. Improved milking machines appeared around 1890.
Price of Milking Machines
Farmers typically have multiple milking machines on their farm. One milking machine costs between $40,000 and $60,000. A large farm with one hundred cows might have about 10 milking machines.