Swedish Milking Machines

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 September 1911, Page 4

Swedish Milking Machines

DEAR AND CHEAP KINO3S. (Journal of Swedisli Chamber of Commerce, London.) Although milking machines of various types have been in use for some time, at least, in New Zealand and other countries, it may be doubted whether the problem of putting on the market a reliable, clean, efficient, and, at the same time, cheap machine has been fully solved. it is very pleasing to know that Sweden has taken a leading part in perfecting milking machines, as dairy machines may be said to be a speciality of that country. THE "ALFA" MILKING MACHINE. Aktiebolaget Separator may justly be called the pioneers of the milking machine industry, although their business has now been transterred to Mjolkningsmaskin Aktiebolaget, Stockholm. Most of the early milking machines were constructed on the vacuum principle, but in the "Alfa" machine tue inventor, Mr Dalen, introduced a different principle, viz., a mechanical action, which imitates the movement of the hand on the teats. This is "clone by moans of two rubber plates or pads in a box of sheet iron, one of the rubber plates being attached to one of the long sides of tilie box, and) the other being moved to and fro by rods driven by compressed air. To each teat a pair of these rubber plates are applied, and by the movement described they are pressed against the teat in such a way as to cause the milk to flow.

It is stated that this machine is easily worked, and that a stock of 100 cows can be milked by two men with eight to ten machines in about two hours, an operation which would otherwise take seven or eight practised milkmaids. This machine can easily be cleaned.

The "Alfa" machine, of which wc give an illustration, is already introduced in Xew Zealand and other British dominions and colonies. At the Agricultural Show at Orebro. in July last, this machine was awarded one of tho first prizes—silver medal —in class 190. for milking machines. THE " LOQVIST " MILKING MACHINE.

Some two years ago a Swedish inventor, Mr Loqvist, brought out a milking machine, which was exhibited at the Royal Agricultural Society's Show 'iri 1909. This machine was adapted to hand, as well as mechanical power, an<l its ribief attraction was, no doubt, its price, which was only £o. We saw this machine at work at Dollis Farm, Cricklewood, in the north-west of London, and its simplicity was very evident. The machine, which was called the "Milk Maid," was demonstrated before the late King Edward at Gloucester, and great interest was taken in it by experts. The inventor lvad abandoned the pneumatic and hydraulic constructions, and had constructed a machine which did not necessitate expensive and costly installation, as it could be used in the open field. The "Loqvist" exerts pressure only on the teats. It was claimed that one machine could milk five cows t one after ithe-otter, in one hour. Some alterations have been made in the machine, wliich is now driven by electricity, and the original nrice has been raised. Further particulars can be obtained from Messrs Lasfabriks Aktiebolaget, Eskilstuna, Sweden, the manufacturers. We understand that a Mr Sundborg, of Stockholm, registered, in December, 1910, the trade-mark " Galakton " for a milking macihiine. This trade-mark shows a. cow with a milking machine fastened to its body, t'lie name " Galakti&n' r being written across. We understand, however, that this machine 'has not yet been placed on the market. Among other Swedish milking machines we may mention the "Omega" exhibited at tho Orebro Show by Mr Ivar Lindstrom, of Vibynas, Nykvarn. This machine also gained a first prize. There are a few more milking machines of Swedish origin; but the " Alfa," the "Loqvist," and the " Manns " are the best known.