We will be getting our cow soon but since I have carpal tunnel very bad (still trying to avoid surgery) and arthritis that is getting worst in my fingers, I am would like to consider a milking machine for one cow. Do they make such a thing? What do they cost and where can I get one? I don't know a thing about them other than they are suppose to be a pain to clean; however, I would rather spend the time cleaning it (I have some others at home who can help..LOL) than the pain in milking. Thanks!

-- Karen (db0421@yahoo.com), August 27, 2001

Answers

yes it is called a Surge belly pail. I just bought one from e-bay.com for $59.00 (plus $20.00 for shipping)

I just saw one go for $30.00 2 days ago (but I didn't need another one and now I have 2) and as high as $120.00.

look up Surge in any search engine, parts are still available :) then you'll need a vacuum pump to operate the milker.

-- westbrook (westbrook_farms@yahoo.com), August 27, 2001.

Be aware when you are looking at these surge buckets with couplings, you are only looking at the collection end of what was a fairly elaborate system for a dairy. As noted, there still has to be a vacumm pump somewhere in the system. NASCO has new complete systems, but they will run about $2,000. I'm trying to get information about a complete, portable system manufactured in Croatia (see the Sept/Oct 2001 issue), but it is taking a lot of time.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), August 27, 2001.

When I was a kid we had 3 or 4 cows most of the time and a Surge milker. It was a bigger job keeping the milker clean than it was to just milking the cows.

-- Mel Kelly (melkelly@webtv.net), August 27, 2001.

But, if you have problems with milking... some people like my husband and Karen do. Karen, if you live in an area that people used to have family cows you might try country yard sales. My husband and I just found 2 for $25, they just need new rubber and a vacuum pump (that I fear is going to be harder to find). I have heard of people hooking them up to thier cars vacuum system. Tana

-- Tana Cothran (tana@getgoin.net), August 27, 2001.

here is a little more info for you to do your research..

or the surge parts

http://www.dairyexchange.com/westfalia.asp

and btw...I have to replace the hose lines cause they are old and I could milk a cow right now! the only thing it needed besides hoses was a vacuum pump....so here is some info to convert an air compressor

For vacuum pump plans http://members.nbci.com/hdgoats/vacuumpmp.htm

-- westbrook (westbrook_farms@yahoo.com), August 27, 2001.

the vacuum pump is not a problem either . I use a gast medical pump I got off e-bay for $40.00 . the surge milker only needs 12 to 15 lbs. of vacuume to work . I made a small pvc vacuume tank and it works like a charm . it has been in use for a year and a half now .

-- Lee (sgrmtndrone@yahoo.com), August 27, 2001.