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All four short milk tubes meet at the claw piece, and from there the milk mixes and goes into the '''long milk tube'''. All the long milk tubes from each individual cluster contribute to the milk transfer line which delivers the milk to the '''receiver vessel'''. Some parlours may have more than one receiver vessel. The location of the milk transfer line is important as this determines the vacuum level required to move the milk. In a '''low line parlour''', the milk transfer line runs below the level of the udder and requires a lower vacuum level of 38-40kPa. This compares to a '''high line parlour''' which has the milk transfer line above the level of the udder. In this scenario, extra energy is required to life the milk to this level so a greater vacuum is required at somewhere around 46-50kPa. Once the milk reaches the receiver vessel, often another smaller vacuum pump is present known as a '''milk pump''' to transfer the milk from the receiver vessel to the bulk tank. This pump is triggered when the milk level in the receiver vessel reaches a pre-determined level.

All four short milk tubes meet at the claw piece, and from there the milk mixes and goes into the '''long milk tube'''. All the long milk tubes from each individual cluster contribute to the milk transfer line which delivers the milk to the '''receiver vessel'''. Some parlours may have more than one receiver vessel. The location of the milk transfer line is important as this determines the vacuum level required to move the milk. In a '''low line parlour''', the milk transfer line runs below the level of the udder and requires a lower vacuum level of 38-40kPa. This compares to a '''high line parlour''' which has the milk transfer line above the level of the udder. In this scenario, extra energy is required to life the milk to this level so a greater vacuum is required at somewhere around 46-50kPa. Once the milk reaches the receiver vessel, often another smaller vacuum pump is present known as a '''milk pump''' to transfer the milk from the receiver vessel to the bulk tank. This pump is triggered when the milk level in the receiver vessel reaches a pre-determined level.

===Vacuum pump and interceptor===

===Vacuum pump and interceptor===

The advantages of the ACR is the prevention of over milking (which can cause teat damage and thus increased mastitis levels) and time efficiency for the parlour operator. However it must be remembered that the prevention of over milking is dependent on the take-off setting and therefore over milking can still be a problem in herds using ACRs. The disadvantages of using ACRs are that there may be more of a delay between milking and [[Post-Milking Teat Disinfection (PMTD)|post milking teat disinfection]], and occasionally premature cluster take-off will occur such as when bimodal milk flow is a problem.  

The advantages of the ACR is the prevention of over milking (which can cause teat damage and thus increased mastitis levels) and time efficiency for the parlour operator. However it must be remembered that the prevention of over milking is dependent on the take-off setting and therefore over milking can still be a problem in herds using ACRs. The disadvantages of using ACRs are that there may be more of a delay between milking and [[Post-Milking Teat Disinfection (PMTD)|post milking teat disinfection]], and occasionally premature cluster take-off will occur such as when bimodal milk flow is a problem.  

===Parlour washing===

===Parlour washing===

There is no circulation wash with this method, with large volumes of very hot water containing disinfectant and detergent chemicals being run directly to waste. This method uses less chemical than circulation washing and is faster, but due to the requirement for large volumes of boiling water a large boiler capacity is required.

There is no circulation wash with this method, with large volumes of very hot water containing disinfectant and detergent chemicals being run directly to waste. This method uses less chemical than circulation washing and is faster, but due to the requirement for large volumes of boiling water a large boiler capacity is required.

===Milk cooling===

===Milk cooling===

It is of great importance that milk is cooled as soon as possible to limit bacterial overgrowth. This is facilitated by the use of a '''plate cooler'''. The plate cooler is placed between the receiver vessel and bulk tank and cools the milk so that when it enters the bulk tank, it is close to the storage temperature of 4°C. Using a counter current mechanism, cold water runs in the opposite direction to the flow of milk and heat is transferred from the milk to the water. The surface area is maximised to increase the efficiency of this process by the use of several stainless steel plates separating the milk and water. Once in the bulk tank, the temperature is maintained at 4°C ready for collection by the dairy milk tanker.

It is of great importance that milk is cooled as soon as possible to limit bacterial overgrowth. This is facilitated by the use of a '''plate cooler'''. The plate cooler is placed between the receiver vessel and bulk tank and cools the milk so that when it enters the bulk tank, it is close to the storage temperature of 4°C. Using a counter current mechanism, cold water runs in the opposite direction to the flow of milk and heat is transferred from the milk to the water. The surface area is maximised to increase the efficiency of this process by the use of several stainless steel plates separating the milk and water. Once in the bulk tank, the temperature is maintained at 4°C ready for collection by the dairy milk tanker.

===Types of parlour===

===Types of parlour===

One unit costs somewhere in the region of £180,000 to £200,000 which will be enough for approximately 70 cows. Appropriate 24 hour available maintenance is important in case the unit breaks down.

One unit costs somewhere in the region of £180,000 to £200,000 which will be enough for approximately 70 cows. Appropriate 24 hour available maintenance is important in case the unit breaks down.

===Parlour maintenance and testing===

===Parlour maintenance and testing===

File:Dynamic milk testing 2.JPG

File:Dynamic milk testing 2.JPG

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===References and further reading===

===References and further reading===