Heatwave/ bulk mixing lamlac "hacks"

[PhilipB]

Had a heatwave for two years now. Generally think it's a very good thing. I just wondered if anyone had "hacked" it to improve it? The pumping-through system could surely be improved somehow.

I found the weights supplied for the end of the pipes annoying and now jubilee clip a nut and bolt on the side of the pipe, so I never have to detach it to get the pipe's end.

Second question, bulk mixing milk.

I'm having to carry the mixed milk across the yard.

20 lt in a "lifeline" bucket is a pain.

25 lt in a 25 lt chemical can is easier, but it means I have to mix in a bucket, pour into can, Then bucket, funnel and can will all need to be washed up.

How do other people work their systems with 30+ litres a day to mix /carry /pour?

 

[d-wales]

Something similar to this.

Put it on the end of a battery drill.

Get a tap near to where the heatwave is and pour the water straight into the bucket and keep mixing as you add the milk powder.

 

[Farmer 83563]

Had a heatwave for two years now. Generally think it's a very good thing. I just wondered if anyone had "hacked" it to improve it? The pumping-through system could surely be improved somehow.

I found the weights supplied for the end of the pipes annoying and now jubilee clip a nut and bolt on the side of the pipe, so I never have to detach it to get the pipe's end.

Second question, bulk mixing milk.

I'm having to carry the mixed milk across the yard.

20 lt in a "lifeline" bucket is a pain.

25 lt in a 25 lt chemical can is easier, but it means I have to mix in a bucket, pour into can, Then bucket, funnel and can will all need to be washed up.

How do other people work their systems with 30+ litres a day to mix /carry /pour?

Get a plasterer's bucket from merchants 30L

NDC Polythenes Polypropylene Plasterers Mixing Bucket 30Ltr - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Heavy duty, tough and reusable plasterers mixing bucket with straight walls to make mixing easier. Reusable and easy to clean. Made from recycled polypropylene. Metal handle with plastic grip. Holds full bags of finished plaster or browning. FREE next day delivery...

www.screwfix.com

 

[Jrp221]

Have you got the squeezy inline hand pumps? Make cleaning through so much easier and quicker https://pyonproducts.com/shop/heatwave/spares/new-heatwave-bubble-pump-inline/

 

[neilo]

Why are you having to clean through the pipes? I’ve had automatic feeders for 30 years and I could count how many times I’ve needed to do that on one hand.

 

[PhilipB]

No I haven't.

That looks very useful. Thanks

Have you got the squeezy inline hand pumps? Make cleaning through so much easier and quicker https://pyonproducts.com/shop/heatwave/spares/new-heatwave-bubble-pump-inline/

 

[Hfd Cattle]

We bought an mixer .
Chuck water in add powder switch on....job done . Think its wyedale one . Just connect the heatwave pipes to tap at bottom of mixer and away you go .

 

[Hfd Cattle]

.....and yes the squeeze hand pump is a must ....so much easier for cleaning .

 

[Hfd Cattle]

How far from hereford are you . You can borrow my mixer to try if you want .

 

[PhilipB]

Why are you having to clean through the pipes? I’ve had automatic feeders for 30 years and I could count how many times I’ve needed to do that on one hand.

Swilling through with a disinfectant every day, as per the instruction book.

 

[PhilipB]

How far from hereford are you . You can borrow my mixer to try if you want .

Thanks for the offer, but I'm way off in Kent.

 

[neilo]

Swilling through with a disinfectant every day, as per the instruction book.

Yes I know, but why?

As above, in 30 years of using a machine with pipes to teats, I can count the number of times I’ve had to clean the pipes through once. I have never once put disinfectant through them, or felt the need, and never had a problem.
The milk is constantly moving through them, not sitting in them festering for hours on end.

 

[PhilipB]

Yes I know, but why?

As above, in 30 years of using a machine with pipes to teats, I can count the number of times I’ve had to clean the pipes through once. I have never once put disinfectant through them, or felt the need, and never had a problem.
The milk is constantly moving through them, not sitting in them festering for hours on end.

Interesting. I see your point.

 

[PhilipB]

Get a plasterer's bucket from merchants 30L

NDC Polythenes Polypropylene Plasterers Mixing Bucket 30Ltr - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Heavy duty, tough and reusable plasterers mixing bucket with straight walls to make mixing easier. Reusable and easy to clean. Made from recycled polypropylene. Metal handle with plastic grip. Holds full bags of finished plaster or browning. FREE next day delivery...

www.screwfix.com

The lady in screwfix said she liked my Swandrii

 

[Nithsdale]

Yes I know, but why?

As above, in 30 years of using a machine with pipes to teats, I can count the number of times I’ve had to clean the pipes through once. I have never once put disinfectant through them, or felt the need, and never had a problem.
The milk is constantly moving through them, not sitting in them festering for hours on end.

+1

I've just a shepherdess and to take out the bucket you have to remove the pipes. They get turned upside down and placed in the hot water (to make the end of the pipe soft and easy to push back onto the metal).

I've never washed them/disinfected them. Just squeeze the teats til it draws fresh milk through

 

[Gibbybox]

Last year we had one batch reared on the Heatwave absolutely fine. Second batch we had a hell of a bother with air bubbles in the pipe and suction required to get the milk through.

Usually the action of squeezing the teat and allowing it to spring back to its natural state was enough to bring the milk through but it often the teat would stay ‘flat’ as if it hadn’t enough suction to pull through.
Changing teats didn’t help, neither did raising the machine and bucket up in a box so the teats were pretty much in a positive head situation.

Heatwave folk blamed blaming lack of cleaning possibly causing solid build up in pipes but I thought we were fairly diligent.

Any other ideas folks?

 

[Estate fencing.]

Last year we had one batch reared on the Heatwave absolutely fine. Second batch we had a hell of a bother with air bubbles in the pipe and suction required to get the milk through.

Usually the action of squeezing the teat and allowing it to spring back to its natural state was enough to bring the milk through but it often the teat would stay ‘flat’ as if it hadn’t enough suction to pull through.
Changing teats didn’t help, neither did raising the machine and bucket up in a box so the teats were pretty much in a positive head situation.

Heatwave folk blamed blaming lack of cleaning possibly causing solid build up in pipes but I thought we were fairly diligent.

Any other ideas folks?

Where the non return valves ok?

 

[PhilipB]

Where the non return valves ok?

Tiny bits of staw get stuck in the valves. That's been the cause when we've had similar issues.

 

[Valtra Man]

Use the 80kg crystalix buckets here, 2 holes drilled in the lids keeps everything clean and plenty big enough to use a paddle whisk. Trouble is the crystalix is too dear now, ours are years old. Lidl or Aldi had an offer at one point of a cheap plasters whisk so the Mrs picked one of those up which has done the job for a couple of years..

 

[goodevans]

.....and yes the squeeze hand pump is a must ....so much easier for cleaning .

Compressor is good as well ,although we have moved to a britmix now which is a step better again