GB1391347A - Revolving cow milking plant - Google Patents

Abstract

1391347 Milking stalls K J SULZBERGER 16 June 1972 [17 June 1971] 28397/72 Heading AIM In a milking system comprising a rotatable annular platform divided into bail spaces in which the cows face radially inwards, the platform being intermittently advanced by one bail space after a set time delay to allow a milked cow to leave and an unmilked cow to enter, photocells 43 and 44 at the points of ingress and egress of the cows act to prevent rotation of the platform while a cow is still entering or leaving. The setting of the time delay may be adjusted by a variable timer unit on a control panel 45. Manual override control is provided. Ingress is from leading yard 16 via a ramp 17 to the available stall 18; egress is from exit stall 19 down a ribbed ramp 20 and through a tunnel under the far side of the platform. A mechanically operated gate 24 allows the operator to keep a slow milking cow in the exit stall 19. The platform, of angle iron with checkerplate decking, is in four quadrants, connected as at 14, and has flanged wheels running on two circular rails embedded in a concrete foundation. It is driven either reversibly by a system of electric motor, braked electromagnetic clutch, transmission unit, capstan and drive rope, or by a pivotally mounted doubleacting hydraulic or pneumatic ram which engages notches on a notched rail mounted beneath the platform, the notches being spaced bail spaces apart. Means to prevent override of the platform are provided. Means for providing mechanical stimulation of the cows may be provided, also controlled by the photocells 43 and 44.