Robotic milking

pappuller

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
M6 Hard shoulder
Hi everyone, currently trying to choose between a Delaval VMS V300 and a Lely A5 - have been to see both machines and been round quite a few farms - both very impressive machines. The biggest advantage the Lely has is its steam cleaners, weigh cell, protein and butterfat monitoring and rumination collars however it is commanding a very very significant premium over the Delaval which is does not have some of the features mentioned about but even with the robot, two OOPF's, a robotic scraper (also included in lelys quote) the Delaval is nearly £15k less in the price (dealer says they can still come down a little bit). The Delaval optiduo is also a tempting option which is quite reasonably priced. I know both machines will milk just fine however I'm trying to justify whether I am better off paying that bit extra for the extra features on the A5 or should I stick wit Delaval and maybe get the OptiDuo. does anyone have any experience with the rumination collars and weigh cells - how useful are they? is the protein and butterfat measurement accurate?
As Bald Rick says, service and backup, ensure you price like for like before making any decision and obviously go and see plenty of setups. From a personal pov I would not bother with weigh floors or Pura if I had my time again as I know my cows and there are plenty of indicators to notify you of an off colour animal. The Pura was switched off within 12 mnths as it was just of no benefit in my opinion.
There is a video of the A5 Vs the VMS online and I have to say the Lely attachment speed is towards 30secs quicker which over the course of 24 hrs will give you a considerable amount of extra capacity
I know Lely will build a robot from basic up to full spec but it all depends on your needs and requirements
 

kill

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South West
As Bald Rick says, service and backup, ensure you price like for like before making any decision and obviously go and see plenty of setups. From a personal pov I would not bother with weigh floors or Pura if I had my time again as I know my cows and there are plenty of indicators to notify you of an off colour animal. The Pura was switched off within 12 mnths as it was just of no benefit in my opinion.
There is a video of the A5 Vs the VMS online and I have to say the Lely attachment speed is towards 30secs quicker which over the course of 24 hrs will give you a considerable amount of extra capacity
I know Lely will build a robot from basic up to full spec but it all depends on your needs and requirements
I have recently purchased 2 X brand new delaval VMS classics which were very similar in price to 1x new Lely A5 so I would be amazed if the 2 X VMS couldn't beat a A5 hands down in speed for similar money.
 

richy

Member
Re Pura steam. I have been looking at robots for a while now and hope to make final plans in the spring. What i only recently noticed is that most brands don't flush teat cups after milking like a cluster flush in a parlour. Question is how do you prevent cross contamination without steam or is there something I'm missing.
 

Spear

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North Devon
Re Pura steam. I have been looking at robots for a while now and hope to make final plans in the spring. What i only recently noticed is that most brands don't flush teat cups after milking like a cluster flush in a parlour. Question is how do you prevent cross contamination without steam or is there something I'm missing.

I’m sure they all backflush/disinfect one way or other.

Vms has 3 different options available
Water
Steam
Peracetic acid
 

Spear

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North Devon
There is a video of the A5 Vs the VMS online and I have to say the Lely attachment speed is towards 30secs quicker which over the course of 24 hrs will give you a considerable amount of extra capacity

That video is misleading. Lely cow is quiet other is kicking and it doesn’t wait until cow has finished milking.
Edited to make Lely look better just as I’m sure DeLaval could post one showing theirs is better.

Average box times are very similar between both makes in my experience.

Delaval washes and foremilks before attaching teat cups hence the longer time before they’re all attached.
Lely I believe foremilk using teat cups.
 

whamilton121993

New Member
That video is misleading. Lely cow is quiet other is kicking and it doesn’t wait until cow has finished milking.
Edited to make Lely look better just as I’m sure DeLaval could post one showing theirs is better.

Average box times are very similar between both makes in my experience.

Delaval washes and foremilks before attaching teat cups hence the longer time before they’re all attached.
Lely I believe foremilk using teat cups.


as I was out comparing the two I timed both ... Lely is much faster at washing and reattaching however the Delaval is faster at milking (probably due to the pre-milking) ... as you said box times are very similar
 

pappuller

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
M6 Hard shoulder
That video is misleading. Lely cow is quiet other is kicking and it doesn’t wait until cow has finished milking.
Edited to make Lely look better just as I’m sure DeLaval could post one showing theirs is better.

Average box times are very similar between both makes in my experience.

Delaval washes and foremilks before attaching teat cups hence the longer time before they’re all attached.
Lely I believe foremilk using teat cups.
Fair point, I don't think you'll go wrong with either make, two robots would make more sense than 1 from a downtime and future expansion pov
 
I have just received delivery of the DeLaval, hoping I have made the correct choice.

Regarding finance, my bank was willing to loan for the robot on a 15yr term but I opted on a10yr JP deal through Deutsche Leasing. With the Brexit thing I am very scared of interest rates so liked the idea of the fixed payments.
 
I have just received delivery of the DeLaval, hoping I have made the correct choice.

Regarding finance, my bank was willing to loan for the robot on a 15yr term but I opted on a10yr JP deal through Deutsche Leasing. With the Brexit thing I am very scared of interest rates so liked the idea of the fixed payments.
Would you mind giving an indication of rate at that term length?
PM if you like.
 

clem dog

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Co Antrim
I've noticed that my m2 misses some of the cows when brushing. The thing is that it then goes on to attach the cow perfectly.
It doesn't miss the same cows all the time or indeed does it do it very often.
Does anyone have any experience of this?
 

NI farmer

Member
Hi everyone, currently trying to choose between a Delaval VMS V300 and a Lely A5 - have been to see both machines and been round quite a few farms - both very impressive machines. The biggest advantage the Lely has is its steam cleaners, weigh cell, protein and butterfat monitoring and rumination collars however it is commanding a very very significant premium over the Delaval which is does not have some of the features mentioned about but even with the robot, two OOPF's, a robotic scraper (also included in lelys quote) the Delaval is nearly £15k less in the price (dealer says they can still come down a little bit). The Delaval optiduo is also a tempting option which is quite reasonably priced. I know both machines will milk just fine however I'm trying to justify whether I am better off paying that bit extra for the extra features on the A5 or should I stick wit Delaval and maybe get the OptiDuo. does anyone have any experience with the rumination collars and weigh cells - how useful are they? is the protein and butterfat measurement accurate?
Two delaval going from first off November
So far so good. Dealer good
Have considered optiduo as well. How good are they or does anyone have one working?
 

Scholsey

Member
Location
Herefordshire
It’s not that then shouldn’t be getting that dirty.

The brushing is done on coordinates based on the position camera not the laser as the brush is obviously blocking the laser, it could be that it all needs rehoming etc now it’s worn in a little but if it’s just missing brushing a couple of teats now and then I wouldn’t worry.
 

clem dog

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Co Antrim
The brushing is done on coordinates based on the position camera not the laser as the brush is obviously blocking the laser, it could be that it all needs rehoming etc now it’s worn in a little but if it’s just missing brushing a couple of teats now and then I wouldn’t worry.
I already had to get the engineer to home the drives once already as we suspect that one of the cows fell out with the arm.
It was making a total pigs ear of attaching. When he sent the arm to centre of box it was hitting the ground! Maybe would do no harm to do that again.
Like I said it's not missing often or on the same cows, but when it does miss, it really misses.
 

dannewhouse

Member
Location
huddersfield
I already had to get the engineer to home the drives once already as we suspect that one of the cows fell out with the arm.
It was making a total pigs ear of attaching. When he sent the arm to centre of box it was hitting the ground! Maybe would do no harm to do that again.
Like I said it's not missing often or on the same cows, but when it does miss, it really misses.

no experience or robots at all but it sounds like it is seeing something else instead of the teat, if it hits 90% bang on, its aim is ok, its deliberately aiming for something else?
I would guess at hairy bags or muck buttons or something else for it to aim for?

weird sun reflection at a certain time in day? cant explain why same cow can be right 9/10 times?
 

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