CREAM QUALITY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 10, 22 December 1933, Page 11

CREAM QUALITY

CLEANLINESS ESSENTIAL WASHING MILKING MACHINES KILLING OF BACTERIA NECESSARY The difficulty in properly cleaning milking machines has caused many dairymen either to produce milk inferior in quality, or to discontinue the use of the machine entirely. Through its somewhat complex construction the milking machine offers excellent opportunity for the collection of dirt or grease-like material on the inside of the pail, and particularly on the inner surfaces of the rubber parts and teat cups. Bacteria grows in this greasy material, even when immersed in the disinfecting solutions commonly used, because none of these solutions, as far as is known, penetrate deeply into grease or dirt. Tho action of the vacuum during milking draws not only the milk out of the teat, but it also draws the bacteria-laden moisture out of any greasy accumulations which may have been allowed to collect. While the milking machine has been commonly regarded as difficult to clean, experience proves that with the proper facilities it is a no more difficult operation than is the proper cleaning of any other utensil. FLUSHING AFTER EACH MILKING Immediately after the last cow is milked both cold and hot water should be drawn as follows through the milk passages:—First, clean, cold water; second, hot water (as hot as the fingers will bear), to which has been added a cleaning powder; thii'u, clear hot water. While the cups are being rinsed they should be doused up and down completely in and out of the water, so that the air and water may •urge alternately through the tubes. This will increase the contraction •nd expansion of tho tubes, and therefore help to release the milk and bacteria from the small pores in the inner surfaces of the rubber parts. All adhering dirt, milk and the like should lie washed from the outside of the lubes and the teat cups. Such material weakens the disinfecting into which the tubes may be put after flushing. The rubber parts of the apparatus must be properly cared for next, either by being placed in a disinfecting solution or by being attached to cold water taps. The purpose of the disinfecting solution is to stop the growth of bacteria on the inside of the tubes. Tubes and teat cups should be placed in the solution in such a way that all the air may be driven out of the milk passages. If they are put in carelessly Jne air is easily entrapped, and wherever there is air there will be no solution in contact with the rubber surfaces. Tho rubber parts should not he taken out before tho next milking period. After the machine has been rinsed •nd after the tubes have been cared for as described, tho pail aerators, cans, etc. (not the pulsator) should be thoroughly washed in hot, soap water, •cabled with boiling water or steamed, •nd inverted to drain and dry. These metal parts should be inverted on a slatted rack in a clean place so that •very drop of moisture can quickly drain off. Thorough drying kills bacteria. PREVENTING CONDENSATION. The stop cocks of pulsator-type machines should bo removed so that these passages can dry. Care should be taken not to let water get on the piston springs and in the air passages of the pulsators, as their efficient operation may be injured. .Ono purpose of the suction trap and check valve in the pipe line of the machine is to prevent condensation moisture from running back into the milk. This trap should be kept clean, otherwise it will not operate efficiently. This must not be neglected because many’ bacteria may easily be added to the milk from a dirty suction trap. There should be no noticeable deposit or accumulation of grease-like material anywhere on the inside or outside of any part of the machine. If this does occur it indicates that directions are not being followed. For the cleaning process the individual parts of the tubes and teat cups should be placed in a pan of hot water (with cleaning powder) and scrubbed inside and out with special brushes. It is a good plan for all metal parts to be polished and dried thoroughly. Rubber parts mav be soaked for a time in a strong hypochlorite solution eefore the tubes are assembled. The tubes should be assembled after washing and should bo returned immediately to the disinfecting solution ■jntil milking time.