Robotic milking

[Chips]

If it works like lely it brushes from memory of the teat coordinants, if a cow suddenly comes to milk much earlier or later than her usual routine her udder fill will be different and thus teat placement different.
Obviously brushes don't need to be very accurate as so majority of times is good enough and so wouldn't worry too much

 

[TheRanger]

Complete 7 year old 2 box system for sale on eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Robotic-...ing-you-need-from-Teat-to-Tanker/273604330491

 

[s line]

On the lely A3 model. Is there a way of making the arm go higher when attaching to a "high bagged heifer"?

Currently i am tricking the robot by making the teats appear longer!!

 

[pine_guy]

Complete 7 year old 2 box system for sale on eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Robotic-...ing-you-need-from-Teat-to-Tanker/273604330491

Is it yours? Any idea why it is coming out? Half price, 7 years old, to rip out and install on top. Doesn’t look a flash deal.

Are these the model of merlin that have the bad reputation? Or a different model.

 

[goldtop]

Nothing wrong with any of the Merlin's, unless you listen to a Lely rep.
Dealer backup with some of them has been more of an issue.

If you can still get a grant on them, 2 new Merlin's would cost less than £115000.

We installed a second hand Merlin 225 18 months ago for £30k. So £115k seems very steep to me.

 

[kill]

Nothing wrong with any of the Merlin's, unless you listen to a Lely rep.
Dealer backup with some of them has been more of an issue.

If you can still get a grant on them, 2 new Merlin's would cost less than £115000.

We installed a second hand Merlin 225 18 months ago for £30k. So £115k seems very steep to me.

Any one can ask what they want but I really can't see anyone wanting to part with anymore than half that as it's going cost a fair old amount to move and professionally reinstall and that will be all inclusive with new and warranties would be given.

 

[wasted years]

Agreed, you could get 2 A3's for 70k, that leaves some room for the bits and bibs.

 

[kill]

Also the eBay advert says the Merlin's maybe eligible for grant funding but a deposit is required so that would fail any grant application sought immediately and a grant application may take around 6 months currently to be decided upon so who's going wait to sell under those circumstances??????

 

[nonemouse]

Also the eBay advert says the Merlin's maybe eligible for grant funding but a deposit is required so that would fail any grant application sought immediately and a grant application may take around 6 months currently to be decided upon so who's going wait to sell under those circumstances??????

also, think grant application window closed at the start of December, not heard if there is a new grant scheme for robots this year

 

[Bald Rick]

Also the eBay advert says the Merlin's maybe eligible for grant funding but a deposit is required so that would fail any grant application sought immediately and a grant application may take around 6 months currently to be decided upon so who's going wait to sell under those circumstances??????

The machine must be younger than 5 years to be eligible for grant so the seller is talking bubbles
I would have had a quote on two new Merlins seven years ago but blessed if I can remember for how much

 

[nonemouse]

The machine must be younger than 5 years to be eligible for grant so the seller is talking bubbles
I would have had a quote on two new Merlins seven years ago but blessed if I can remember for how much

when I had a quote for a merlin (about nine years ago) when specd the same it was actually dearer than lely and with no real dealer support at the time and maintainance was on a DIY basis. At least localy there does seem to be dealer back up for them now

 

[Bald Rick]

when I had a quote for a merlin (about nine years ago) when specd the same it was actually dearer than lely and with no real dealer support at the time and maintainance was on a DIY basis. At least localy there does seem to be dealer back up for them now

True now you mention it. They were more expensive than Lely but the euro was weak against the pound and strong negotiation made the Lely significantly cheaper plus their experience and back up

 

[clem dog]

If it works like lely it brushes from memory of the teat coordinants, if a cow suddenly comes to milk much earlier or later than her usual routine her udder fill will be different and thus teat placement different.
Obviously brushes don't need to be very accurate as so majority of times is good enough and so wouldn't worry too much

I think it's a combination of past coordinates and the position camera.
If it was the case as you say then surely it would miss attachment then?

 

[Slowcow]

You can get leader funding for second hand bots but they mustn't have had grant aid on them in the last 7 years and the deadline is Tuesday(well round here anyway) I looked at the eBay ad a while back and thought needs be half that !

 

[Scholsey]

The OOPFs, bulk tank, buffer tank would add a fair bit onto a robot quote mind. Admit it does seem expensive, 225s are reliable but looks years behind a similar age equivalent a3 or VMS, don’t understand why anyone put them in if price wise they were similar.

 

[Chips]

I think it's a combination of past coordinates and the position camera.
If it was the case as you say then surely it would miss attachment then?

It will be a camera on an a4, a3 a weight position and Merlin a follower plate on the cow. They don't miss attachment as the laser comes into play then for exact location as it does for teat spraying

 

[clem dog]

It will be a camera on an a4, a3 a weight position and Merlin a follower plate on the cow. They don't miss attachment as the laser comes into play then for exact location as it does for teat spraying

The merlin2 has a positioning camera. Dealer going to have a look after the holidays. To be honest I haven't really studied it for e few days as I've had a few days off.
What happens on an a3 if you don't have a weighing floor? Was it not an option on them?

 

[Chips]

The merlin2 has a positioning camera. Dealer going to have a look after the holidays. To be honest I haven't really studied it for e few days as I've had a few days off.
What happens on an a3 if you don't have a weighing floor? Was it not an option on them?

Standard on a3

 

[clem dog]

Standard on a3

Sorry I always thought a weigh floor was an option!
Teat spraying seems to always have good coverage, probably as you say it uses the laser. The laser gives a flash just before spraying which is more important than missing brushing an odd time or two.

 

[westvalley87]

Anyone got any experience of large distances for the milk line when using robots? any advice on do's and don'ts?

Currently looking at about 40m inside the shed overhead, then overhead 7m outside to the tank room using a gantry ( I will insulate it well)... realistically could be around 60m