WO2007023478A1

WO2007023478A1 - Improvements in dairy milking

Info

Publication number: WO2007023478A1
Application number: PCT/IE2006/000083
Authority: WO
Inventors: William O'leary
Original assignee: William O'leary
Priority date: 2005-08-22
Filing date: 2006-08-03
Publication date: 2007-03-01
Also published as: IE20060585A1

Abstract

A mobile milking parlour (1) has a first stall (10) on a chassis (3) of a vehicle. A second stall (11) is articulated on the chassis (3) for movement between an overhead transport position and an operative position laterally of the first stall (10). A drive mechanism (50, 55) pushes the second stall (11) laterally to create a space between the stalls, this providing a utility section of the farmer to work in. The parlour when opened out thus has three sections, and is similar in size and configuration to a conventional 'herringbone' milking parlour.

Description

"Improvements in Dairy Milking"

INTRODUCTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to milking of dairy herds.

Prior Art Discussion

For many dairy farmers the size of their farms is sufficient to increase milk production substantially, however many farms comprise small parcels which often means that much of the farm is beyond grazing distance of the farm yard and milking facilities.

Where cows are walked to these fields, it often causes problems associated with use of public roads and rights of way such as safety, soiling of roads, nuisance, poor neighbour relations, time/labour, wear/tear to cows leading to herd lameness, and thus stress on both man and beast.

SU1395221 describes a mobile milking parlour having stall supports attached to transverse guides on ends of pneumatically-operated telescopic pivoted bars. FR2874304 also describes a mobile milking parlour. This parlour comprises vertical panels articulated on a chassis.

The invention is directed towards providing for more convenient milking of large dairy herds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a mobile milking parlour comprising a wheel-mounted chassis for road haulage and milking stalls for movement between transport and operative positions, characterized in that, the parlour comprises: a first stall including the chassis,

a second stall articulated on the chassis for movement between an overhead transport position and a ground-engaging operative position laterally of the first stall, and

a drive mechanism for moving the second stall.

In one embodiment, the second stall is articulated to be orientated sideways when in the transport position, the drive means rotating the second stall through approximately 90°.

In another embodiment, the drive means comprises hydraulic rams having inner ends anchored on the chassis and outer ends linked with a frame of the second stall, for movement of the second stall between the transport and operative positions.

In a further embodiment, the second stall comprises wheels, and the drive means comprises means for pushing the second stall laterally to a position spaced-apart from the first stall.

In one embodiment, the parlour comprises a milking apparatus mounted for operation by a farmer when located in a central utility section between the stalls said utility section allowing access of the farmer to cows in both stalls.

In another embodiment, the milking apparatus is mounted on a frame of a stall.

In a further embodiment, the milking apparatus is mounted on the frame of the second stall.

In one embodiment, the second stall wheels are caster wheels pivotable between a lateral position for lateral movement of the second stall and an in-line position for towing of the parlour in a field. In another embodiment, both stalls comprise telescopic jacks.

In a further embodiment, each stall comprises a feeding mechanism on an outer lateral side.

In one embodiment, the feeding mechanism comprises a feeding trough and a dispensing hopper movable along the length of the trough.

In another embodiment, the hopper comprises a drive comprising a motor and a belt or chain.

In a further embodiment, each of the stalls comprises an elevated platform and an access stairs.

In one embodiment, each stairs is movable between a substantially vertical transport position and an operative position.

In another embodiment, each stall comprises stairs at each end.

In a further embodiment, the parlour further comprises a canopy and a support for movement of the canopy between transport and operative positions.

In one embodiment, the canopy nests within the second stall in the transport position.

In another embodiment, the parlour comprises a drive means for pivoting the canopy between the transport and operative positions.

In a further embodiment, the parlour further comprises an articulated drawbar for rotating to a position out of the way of the stalls.

In one embodiment, the parlour further comprises a telescopic drawbar for movement between a projecting transport position, and a retracted position for milking. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -

Fig. 1 is a perspective view from above of a mobile milking parlour of the invention at the start of a procedure for opening out for use;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view after a second stall has been lowered into position;

Fig. 3 shows the parlour after subsequent shifting sideways of the second stall;

Fig. 4 shows the parlour after lowering of stall-access steps;

Fig. 5 shows the parlour after erection of a canopy.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the parlour from the opposite direction; and

Figs. 7 to 11 are a sequence of end views showing opening of the parlour in stages of:

Fig. 7, transport,

Fig. 8, rotating second stall towards operative position,

Fig. 9, second stall on the ground,

Fig. 10, steps of the stalls lowered, and

Fig. 11, canopy erected over utility section and parlour in use. Description of the Embodiments

Referring to the drawings a mobile milking parlour 1 comprises road wheels 2(a) mounted on a chassis 3. Hydraulic telescopic jacks 4 are also mounted on the chassis 3 for support when in use.

The chassis 3 acts as a frame for a first milking stall 10, and a second stall 11 is articulated on the chassis 3.A draw bar, not shown, protrudes from the chassis 3.

The second stall 11 is articulated on the chassis 3 for rotation between a transport position orientated sideways and over the first stall 10 (Figs. 1 and 7) and an operative ground-engaging upright position (Figs. 6 and 11). The second stall 11 has a frame 9 having telescopic arms 50 which are pivotally connected to the chassis 3 for movement as shown in Fig. 8 between the transport and operative positions.

The frame 9 of the second stall 11 has ground-engaging caster wheels 2(b) which allow the opened-out parlour 1 to be manoeuvred by a tractor in the field, the wheels 2(a) allowing steering movement. The caster wheels 2(b) allow the second stall 11 to be pushed laterally, as shown in Fig. 3 to open out a central utility section 12 between the stalls 10 and 11. The central utility section 12 comprises milking equipment 15 of a conventional type having milking clusters mounted on a member 16 of the frame 9 of the second stall 11.

Both of the stalls 10 and 11 comprise a feeding system 20 along the lateral outer sides. Each system 20 has a hopper 23 which is pulled by a belt 21, in turn driven by a motor 22 to slide along the stall on a rail 24. The sliding hopper 23 discharges into a trough 25. This arrangement is mirrored in the second stall 11, as shown in Fig. 6. The first stall 10 comprises an inner rail 35 on the side opposite the feeding system.

As shown in Fig. 4, each of the stalls 10 and 11 comprises a stairs 30 at each end, which rotates between a vertical transport position (Figs. 3 and 9 for example) and an operative position (Figs. 4 and 10 for example). There is also a pair of rails 37 for each stairs 30. The stairs 30 lead to an elevated platform 31 in each stall 10 and 11.

A canopy 13 is articulated on the second stall frame 9 by hydraulic rams 39 for movement between a transport position (Fig. 4) and an operative position (Fig. 5). Hydraulic rams 39 are operated to rotate the canopy.

The stalls 10 and 11 each comprise a gate 40 for closing off the stall during milking.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 7 to 11, the parlour at each end comprises a drive mechanism comprising telescopic support arm 50 which at its inner end is articulated on the chassis 3 and at its outer end is part of the frame 9. The second stall 11 is rotated by an hydraulic ram 51 anchored on the chassis 3. A horizontal ram 55 at each stall end operates to push the second stall 11 laterally to open up the central utility section 12. This movement is allowed by extension of the telescopic arm 50

Although not shown in the drawings, the draw bar of the chassis is pivotally mounted so that it can rotate in a horizontal plane out of the way of the stairs' 30.

In use, the parlour 1 is transported to a field when in the transport position shown in Fig. 7. The hydraulic jacks 4 are lowered (Fig. 1) and the parlour 1 is then opened out as described above to achieve the operative position shown in Figs. 6 and 11. Power is provided to the rams 39 and 55 by a tractor PTO.

The lateral pushing of the second stall 11 very conveniently opens out the central utility section 12, so that the final parlour is quite big, comparable in size to a conventional milking parlour even though it has been transported to the field.

The cows are guided up the stairs 30 at one end to walk onto the platforms 31 in the stalls 10 and 11. The gates 40 at the opposite end are closed over at an angle. By operating the feed mechanism 20 the cows will naturally align themselves laterally as shown in Fig. 11, which is convenient for milking, and at an angle determined by the angle of the exit-end gate 40. The farmer works in the central utility section 12 and may then easily connect up the teats for milking. Because the stalls 10 and 11 have elevated platforms 31 the farmer can work with minimal bending and in a very efficient manner. The angle of the exit-end gates 40 sets the angle for all of the cows while being milked, thus optimising space.

The milking equipment 15 of the utility section 12 is hooked up to a "mobile dairy" on another vehicle. The "mobile dairy" includes milk tanks, coolers power generators, and vacuum pumps. Milk is collected in the milk tanks, and when milking is finished the "mobile dairy" is driven to the farm yard. The cows exit at the exit end of the stalls 10 and 11, descending the stairs 30 at these ends.

It will thus be appreciated that the parlour 1 is used in much the same way as a conventional fixed milking parlour of the "herringbone" type. Milking is therefore very efficient. Also, because of the arrangement of the second stall being overhead for transport and because the utility section is created by pushing the second stall laterally the parlour can cater for a large number of cows, even though it can be transported. Also, the folding over of the second stall allows design choice of parlour capacity by simply changing its length.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail. For example, the draw bar may be telescopic in the longitudinal direction for movement between an outer position for transport, and a retracted position for use. Also, the arrangement of the milking equipment may be different from that illustrated, for example, the milking clusters 15 may be more centrally located in the utility section 12. Also, there may be a different number of milking clusters, and the overall parlour may be longer or shorter than described to suit road and farm requirements.

Claims

1. A mobile milking parlour comprising a wheel-mounted chassis (3) for road haulage and milking stalls (10, 11) for movement between transport and operative positions, characterized in that, the parlour comprises:

a first stall (10) including the chassis (3),

a second stall (11) articulated on the chassis (3) for movement between an overhead transport position and a ground-engaging operative position laterally of the first stall, and

a drive mechanism (50, 51) for moving the second stall (11).

2. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second stall (11) is articulated to be orientated sideways when in the transport position, the drive means (50, 51) rotating the second stall (11) through approximately 90°.

3. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drive means (50, 51) comprises hydraulic rams having inner ends anchored on the chassis (3) and outer ends linked with a frame (9) of the second stall, for movement of the second stall (11) between the transport and operative positions.

4. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein the second stall (11) comprises wheels (2(b)), and the drive means (50, 51) comprises means for pushing the second stall (11) laterally to a position spaced-apart from the first stall (10).

5. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in claim 4, wherein the parlour comprises a milking apparatus (15) mounted for operation by a farmer when located in a central utility section (12) between the stalls (10, 11) said utility section (12) allowing access of the farmer to cows in both stalls (10, 11).

6. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in claim 5, wherein the milking apparatus (15) is mounted on a frame (9) of a stall.

7. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in claim 6, wherein the milking apparatus is mounted on the frame (9) of the second stall.

8. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the second stall wheels (2(b)) are caster wheels pivotable between a lateral position for lateral movement of the second stall and an in-line position for towing of the parlour in a field.

9. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein both stalls (10, 11) comprise telescopic jacks (4).

10. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each stall comprises a feeding mechanism (20) on an outer lateral side.

11. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in claim 10, wherein the feeding mechanism (20) comprises a feeding trough (25) and a dispensing hopper (23) movable along the length of the trough.

12. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in claim 11, wherein the hopper (23) comprises a drive comprising a motor (22) and a belt (21) or chain.

13. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the stalls comprises an elevated platform (31) and an access stairs (30).

14. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in claim 13, when each stairs (30) is movable between a substantially vertical transport position and an operative position.

15. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in claims 12 or 13, wherein each stall comprises stairs (30) at each end.

16. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the parlour (1) further comprises a canopy (13) and a support for movement of the canopy between transport and operative positions.

17. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in claim 16, wherein the canopy nests within the second stall in the transport position.

18. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in claim 17, wherein the parlour comprises a drive means for pivoting the canopy between the transport and operative positions.

19. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an articulated drawbar for rotating to a position out of the way of the stalls.

20. A mobile milking parlour as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a telescopic drawbar for movement between a projecting transport position, and a retracted position for milking.