Whether you have a commercial dairy farm or just a few cows, having a best milking machine can make your life much easier. These machines can often cut your milking time in half, and they come in all shapes and sizes, including portable versions, multi-animal setups, and more.
The best portable milking machine for cows is the Popsport 110V electric milking machine because it has:
- A high turnover rate of 10-12 cows/hour due to its 64ppm pump
- 25L of milk storage
- A well-designed cart with oversized wheels for rough terrain
We’ll cover these questions in greater depth below, so read on for a list of some of the top milking machines out there, as well as some information on how to choose the best milking machine for your farm.
The Best Milking Machine for Cows
There are many different kinds of milking machines. Some are battery-powered, while others run on gasoline. Some are large and stationary, while others are much more portable and lightweight. Some are made specifically for one type of animals, such as cows or goats, while others can be used to milk many different kinds of animals.
We listed a few questions to consider above. Here we’re going to narrow them down to the three most important:
So, what are some of the best milking machines on the market? Let’s find out!
1) A Popsport is an Excellent Choice for All Farmers
When it comes to have-it-all, the Popsport is top of the charts. It has an excellent pump that allows you to milk 10 - 12 cows an hour and store 25L of milk in the container. The pump pulsates at 64 rotations per minute which is easy on the cows while being very powerful and efficient.
What You May Like
One of the best things about the Popsport is the attached cart. It has oversized wheels, which allow you to take the cart into the rugged landscape and still get the job done. It is on a smooth set of bearings that make the weight seem like a breeze when it is pushed. Ease of moving is an understated asset for any milking machine; be on the lookout for easy-to-transport devices.
What You Might Not Like
A significant drawback of this machine is that the engine tends to use a bit more oil than other models. You should always keep the oil level checked and err on the side of caution if you think the machine might be low. If the device fails during milking, you lose precious time and make the cows uncomfortable and restless.
Pros and Cons of the Popsport
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As long as you are prepared to keep the oil topped up, the Popsmart milker is worthy of a spot in your barn.
2) An Ecomilker is Easy to Use and Transport
The Ecomilker is a great model that comes with a heavy-duty cart attached to the machine. The cart has oversized wheels making it great for trips into the pasture. Its reinforced frame means that you can get it into the mud and still expect it to perform at a top-notch level. Ecomilker strives to make its products useful and portable.
What You May Like
The best thing about this model is that you can milk two animals at the same time. If you have a more significant herd, time is of the essence, and being able to go twice as fast is a godsend. It also has a powerful pulsator that makes milking easy and painless. When you combine the power and portability, you get a good machine for any sized herd and all terrains.
What You Might Not Like
Some people fault this machine because it doesn’t have tons of extra bells and whistles. For those interested in performance and not looks, the Ecomilker is a durable device that is always ready to step up to the plate. Dependability trumps flash every day of the week, and you should buy the Ecomilker for longevity and not style.
Pros and Cons of the Ecomilker
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You get what you pay for, and the Ecomilker is excellent for those who want something that will last forever and are prepared to pay the price for it.
3) The 4Mul8 Machinery Milker is a Great Hybrid Machine
The 4Mul8 people were thinking outside of the box when they made their hybrid machine. It works great when it is plugged into an energy source and just as well when you are using the gas engine. Using multiple types of energy allows the farmer to do whatever is possible to milk the cows.
What You May Like
The versatility of the machine makes its flaws seem inconsequential. The fact that you can use the device anywhere and still pull a safe and tasty product from the cows is what matters the most, and the 4Mul8 does that in spades. With some creative engineering, you can even use this model to milk two cows at once if you need to.
What You Might Not Like
When it comes to moving, this machine has some shortcomings. The way it is set up makes the receptacle sit on the outside of the device, making it hard to move while working. As much as cows move around, they could tip the bucket and spill the collected milk if they begin to wander. It also can accommodate two buckets which means you have twice as much to watch for.
Pros and Cons of the 4Mul8 Milking Machine
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If you’ve got a routine down and don’t plan on moving it often, the 4Mul8 can be a versatile, multi-powered tool.
4) Dansha Farms Makes a Small and Simple Milking Machine
Dansha Farms has one of the most simple and effective machines on the market. It is so simple to use that anyone can learn to use it and produce decent milk. People who own the machine rave about how easy it works, and it is one of the most recommended products in the milking machine space.
What You May Like
The weird design hides a hidden trait that could make the machine even more attractive to some farmers. The offset design allows you to have two receptacles for milk. Twice the storage means that you can work a much longer session without having to stop and empty bulky containers or jugs. All you have to do is add a bit more tubing, and you are in business.
What You May Not Like
Often people will shy away from this machine because it looks nothing like a conventional machine. In essence, this isn’t a machine but more of a funneling device with tubes and a central cylinder. This isn’t an excellent setup for anything more than four or five animals and would be a headache to use for profit.
Pros and Cons of the Dansha Farms Milking Machine
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For the homesteaders and family farms, Dansha provides exactly what you need and nothing more.
Tulsan’s mini milker is a fun and easy-to-use machine. Fun because you can haul it dang near anywhere and expect the milk to stay safe and secure in the bulky cart and large storage receptacle. It’s like having a mountain goat with a milker attached to it. It will go anywhere and handle any job.
What You May Like
One of the most overlooked things about a Tulsan is the ease of operation. It is so easy to move around that you forget that it is a powerful and speedy machine that is great for smaller-sized herds. It works more like a pressure washer than a milker in that all you need to do is check the fluids and press start to get it into action.
What You May Not Like
These machines are hard to find. Tulsan is a smaller company with a fanbase as devoted as any boy band ever thought about. Once they have a Tulsan milker, they hold onto them and purchase another when it finally dies. Keep an eye on the internet and ears open if you are looking to buy a Tulsan.
Pros and Cons of the Tulsan Milking Machine
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If you can find one, the Tulsan might just be the easiest milker to operate on our list today.
6) An Enshey is a Top Name in the Milking Machine Game
One of the most notable names in the industry is Enshey. Their 25L machine is one of the most in-demand and rated devices on the internet. It has an easy-to-use pumping system that pulsates in that sweet spot that eases the cow’s nerves while extracting quickly and effectively.
What You May Like
The milking rate is one of the best out there. It allows you to milk between ten and twelve cows an hour. It works off electricity and has one of the best pumps ever installed in a milking machine. Enshey is a name brand with a growing reputation and produces one of the best milkers on the market.
What You May Not Like
The cart for the machine isn’t as bulky as some of the others, which makes it great for barn work and a bit of a hamstring when using it in the rough pastures and fields. It is a lighter machine that makes moving it a bit easier, but the smaller wheels make it a gamble in mud and sand on the farm.
Pros and Cons of the Enshey Milking Machine
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Keep it away from rough terrain, and the Enshey will be an absolute powerhouse.
7) The CJWDZ Milking Machine is Gentle on Animals
If cow comfort is important to you, check out this offering from CJWDZ. This machine comes with different suction heads explicitly made to fit cows or goats so you can select the most comfortable fit. The suction heads are made of food-grade silicone, so the cows will barely feel them. In fact, they may even enjoy the milking process!
What You May Like
One of the best things about this milking machine is that the pulsation process mimics how a calf sucks. The gentle, natural process stimulates the cows’ udders to release the most milk while putting them at ease with the machine.
What You May Not Like
The main drawback of this vacuum pump machine is it has no quick release valve--you just have to pull the vacuum tube off when it’s time to release the suction. There is also no vacuum gauge and no way to adjust the vacuum. Aside from these minor flaws, though, this milking machine is an excellent choice for keeping your cows happy and getting the job done efficiently.
Pros and Cons of the CJWDZ Milking Machine
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While a bit rough and practical, we can’t argue with the CJWDZ’s results.
8) A Hantop Milking Machine is Easy to Set Up and Use
Hantop’s milking machine is a simple, helpful milker for cows and goats. It requires very little assembly--in fact, Hantop claims that the machine can be assembled in as little as 15 seconds! The entire machine is made of non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials so that you can milk with confidence.
What You May Like
The two-teat system is great for cows and goats which are used to milking machines, but it is unexpectedly powerful, which may cause some animals to fight it. It is lightweight, just over 2 pounds, so you can easily carry it from cow to cow as needed. It comes with an aluminum alloy casing, which helps to eliminate heat, which in turn will help the machine last longer.
What You May Not Like
This machine’s main drawback is that it’s not great for larger herds and should only be used on a few animals at a time. It doesn’t work particularly quickly, so using it for larger herds would take a very long time. That said, if you have fewer than four or five animals, this milker will suit your needs nicely.
Pros and Cons of the Hantop Milking Machine
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The Hantop is best if you have dairy cows already desensitized to milking machines but want a lightweight and portable option in their toolkit.
Milking Machine Data Chart
For ease of reference, we’ve gathered all available data on each machine on our list and compiled it into a quick comparison for you.
Milking Machine | Pulsation Times/min | Motor Speed/rpm | Cattle Milked/hr |
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
64 | 1440 | 10-12 | 25 Liters | ||
Cell | Cell | Cell | 30 Liters | ||
60-80 | 1440 | 20-24 | 25 Liters | ||
Cell | Cell | Cell | 1/2 gallon | ||
Cell | 1450 | Cell | 30 Liters | ||
64 | 1440 | 10-12 | 25 Liters | ||
40-46 | Cell | Cell | 3/7/ 14 Liters | ||
40-46 | Cell | Cell | 7/14 Liters |
How to Choose a Best Milking Machine
The most challenging part about buying a milking machine for your dairy farm is knowing which machine will work best for you. High-end appliances can be great for a barn setting but could be torture to move around the pasture.
Also, there are things that you might not consider, like storage, that make the decision into a nail-biter.
Look for a Machine that Works Quickly
When it comes to getting fresh, wholesome milk out to the public, you need to be fast. As milk ages, its quality and taste will diminish. You must have a machine that extracts the milk as fast as possible and makes it ready for storage and transportation.
You should look for a machine that has a strong vacuum pump. The pump creates the suction and enables the milk to flow from the receptors into the receptacle.
A point to note here is that a too aggressive pump will injure the animals and force them to produce less or run when it is time for milking.
Choose a Pump that is Easy on the Animals
Nothing is angrier than a cow with sore teats; when picking a pump, look for something easy on the livestock.
When they grow a fear of milking, it will change the product’s taste and could even force them to flee when it is time for their milking.
Rounding up the herd should not impact the milking process because of a stiff pump.
Pump intensities continue to increase when the cups are made from much more dense materials that create a stronger vacuum.
These materials can be more gentle on the cows, but a good thing to do is make some calculations and see which pump fits your production schedule.
Buying a pump for your home is much different than for a dairy farm.
Being Easy to Clean Makes a Milking Machine More Desirable
Cleanliness is essential when dealing with any liquid that will be consumed. Look for a machine that doesn’t have a track record of spills or clogged implements. Clogs make the machine spew out milk that could contaminate the area and make it smelly.
Make sure that the attachment areas are clean and free of gunk after each use.
The cleanliness of the machine has an impact on everything about the milk. If the machine is not sterile, you will be able to tell it by how milk looks, tastes, and feels.
Those are all important to the consumer who will consider these factors when purchasing the product.
Safe Machines Produce Great Milk for Consumers
Safety, above all, is paramount when working with livestock. Injuries to the animals lead to a degradation in their production and possibly a decline in their overall health. When illness seeps into the herd, the damage can be hard on the cows and the ranch hands.
Choose safety above efficiency or storage capacity to ensure your pack is well maintained and healthy.
Select a Machine That is Easy to Use and Transport
The best part about milking machines is that they are often very straightforward. A few hoses attach to the milking cups, which feed the storage receptacle on the inside of the machine. The pump will be at the top of the device and can operate on either gas or electricity.
Stay away from milking machines with tons of buttons and gauges as they are harder to transport.
Some people opt to build carts or use hand trucks to move their machines about the pasture and milk their cows instead of corralling them. If you have a bulky milking machine, it can be a hassle.
Number of Milkers Will Influence Some Farmers
Having one or two milkers will be a massive factor for some buyers. If you have a large herd having a couple of attachments means you get finished twice as fast. The most important thing is timing when dealing with a perishable item like milk. Having the ability to get milk out quickly and safely means everything to the farmers and the consumers
Parts of a Milking Machine to Know About
There are several parts and gauges on a milking machine that could intimidate some people. The machine looks complicated but, basically, is a simple filter that moves milk from the teat to the storage container. The parts in between are what makes the machine work, and if they aren’t checked for wear and tear, they could be trouble for the herd.
The Vacuum System Makes the Milking Machine Efficient and Easy on the Cows
Perhaps the most crucial part of the machine is the vacuum. It provides the power to suck the milk from the teat and send it down the tube into the receptacle. An efficient vacuum system will not harm the livestock while producing an excellent tasting product. The cups and claws all depend on a solid system for work at their highest levels.
The Cluster is What Connects the Cow to the Machine
The cluster is the next most important part of the machine. It has tubes attached to the teat cup assembly, which holds the udders during the milking process. The tubes are then routed to the receptacle, where they dump the milk and redistribute pressure back towards the animal, hence, forming a seamless process.
Separating the Milk and Air is Important to the Process
Once the milk has shown up in the receptacle, it begins the last part of the process, separation.
Milk needs to be strained for debris, and the air trapped during the milking is a huge part of lumpy milk.
Air pockets can form inside the product and force it to be chunky or take the consistency of heavy cream.
Measuring the Output is Vital to the Milking Process
Somewhere on the milking machine will be a gauge that allows you to measure the amounts of milk produced and record them. Recording the output will let you know how much work needs to be done or how many of the herd have been milked. Keeping records ensures that no milk is wasted and all the cows are drained.
Conclusion
Having a milking machine that is easy to use, portable, and sanitary are three of the most important factors to consider. You must have something that works with your barn or pasture situation and provides a great-tasting product without harming any animals or their lovely teats.
There are many products on the market, and you should take your time and study to have the best fit for your farm.
The vital thing to always remember is the safety of the herd and the farmers. Choose milking machines that are easy on the livestock and easy for you or your farmhands to operate.
