EmilyKingston
Member
We went to look at 3 that had been in 6 weeks in Shepton mallet the other week and he seemed pleased with how things were going but I always have the bad things you hear about them I the back on my mind!
Robots
- Thread starter EmilyKingston
- Start date
happycows
Member
- Location
- North Devon Cornwall border
From someone who's been milking with robots for 10.5 years and last year went from 1 to 2, don't under estimate the tie that you have with robots and when you have no other person too help out it can get to you. In the early days it didn't bother me so much but of late, perhaps as i'm getting older (44) i don't want to be at the grindstone twice a day 365 days.
1 robot 70 cows and 60 in milk is a nice work balance but everyone needs a bit of time and space too themselves.
Luckily for me my son is really keen too come home when he finishes his 12 months in NZ next May and will hopefully be chance to get some time too myself and do some normal things that you just can't being a 1 man band.
- Location
- South Molton
Was speaking to two staff member's a few weeks ago and a certain dealer was mentioned. I would Venture as far as saying theywere not best pleased with their way of working!
- Location
- South Molton
If loolinh at robots or parlours go in with open eyes.
Don't dismiss any ideas put to you but note them and explore them.
All robots milk cows. Some do it better than others. Some will have tie ins other will let you go with the flow.
Happy to answer any question on de Laval. We have installed 2 s/h ones on a grazing system.
Don't dismiss any ideas put to you but note them and explore them.
All robots milk cows. Some do it better than others. Some will have tie ins other will let you go with the flow.
Happy to answer any question on de Laval. We have installed 2 s/h ones on a grazing system.
Carl Jones
New Member
Hi Emily,
I have financed quite a few for clients over the last 18 months and the vast majority have been Lely!
They seem to be the preference for most people.
all the best with your venture.
Carl
You'll be fine with either. THE most important thing is back up esp in the first year when you're feeling your way. After that, repairing stuff will get a lot easier. Just prepare yourself for the odd disrupted night when the phone rings when you are in a deep sleep (or better, an interesting dream).
My guess is that after a year or so you'll be looking for a second machine.
Good luck
Windmilker
New Member
I can point you to several farm internationally that have swapped from Monobox to Lely got an immediate yield lift (you lose about 6% of your milk down the drain with a GEA robot depending on settings).
There is even one farm in Canada advertising to swap its monoboxs for Lely's! There are several farms on the market in the states with Monoboxs. GEA are not a firm you want to be dealing with what ever you do stay well clear. Anyone ever heard how Michael Evis is doing a Glastonbury? Well let me tell you it must be bad because all has gone quiet, if it was working at all as a rotary robot GEA would be able to spin into something, the fact we hear nothing speaks volumes.
- Location
- Northumberland
So now you know , Nothing beats an unbias view
- Location
- South Molton
Just because something out sells another doesn't mean it's the best.
Ford and Vauxhall sell loads of cars. Are they the best?
- Location
- South Molton
Value for money.
All robots milk cows
Third class riding is better than first class walking my Grandfather always said.
surprisefarmer
Member
- Location
- North West NI
@EmilyKingston you should explore DeLaval also, but maybe there is no support in your region?
I am currently preparing to put 1 in with the view for number 2 next year.
On the issue of labour, I was kind of planning on having a worker 3 days a week (with seasonal increases) to help run the robot, up my sheep to around 200, work my 4o suck cows and the farm needs a lot of tidying up (my dad had let things slip slightly). I probably could do all of the work myself, but I have a young family at home who I would like to see a bit.
I am currently preparing to put 1 in with the view for number 2 next year.
On the issue of labour, I was kind of planning on having a worker 3 days a week (with seasonal increases) to help run the robot, up my sheep to around 200, work my 4o suck cows and the farm needs a lot of tidying up (my dad had let things slip slightly). I probably could do all of the work myself, but I have a young family at home who I would like to see a bit.
EmilyKingston
Member
Well when we were looking at a parlour the rep wasn’t really interest so it kind of put us off.
We’re having Lely reps out again to do some drawings
We’re having Lely reps out again to do some drawings
Windmilker
New Member
'Other robots are available!' I only mention Lely as I don't know of a farmer changing from Monobox to any other. They farmer who sued GEA and won changed from Monobox to Lely.
are you sure it was the mono box and not the older m1 from gea? They are two completely different robots
Windmilker
New Member
Yes I have a copy of the court transcript.
- Location
- Northumberland
How long has the Monobox been out? The model on show at Dairytech and being delivered to farms now is a completly different machine.
Windmilker
New Member
The Monobox at the Dairytech has been out in the rest of the world a couple of years I guess. A lot come out in the first year as its so bad. Give me a minute.
