Milking machine is a device used for milking the cows. The first milking machine was patented by an American engineer I.O. Colvin in 1860. It had four rubber teat cups which were connected to a vacuum chamber attached to the side of a pail. The chamber was similar in appearance to a bellows and a vacuum was created by pumping the handle after the cow’s teats had been placed in the rubber cups. It was gradually realized that continuous suction caused pain to the cow and often caused internal bleeding which contaminated the milk.
In 1889 William Marchland of Kilmarnock, Scotland patented an elaborate suction milking machine. It also had some problems. Its improved version was produced by Dr. Alexander Shields of Glasgow in 1895. This model was very costly for the farmers. This was further improved in the early 20th century by several firms in Scotland.
The modern carousel milking machine consists of a large slow-moving platform, powered by an electric motor, with places for several cows. As the cows approach the platform, they are placed at their own feeders and a milking machine is attached to each cow. The milk produced is collected in glass containers.
Since the late 1960s the animal feeding methods in milking parlours have advanced dramatically. Many of the parlours are computerized and some include electronic sensors which pickup signals from small transmitters fixed around each cow’s neck and which reveal the animal’s feeding requirements. Automatic dispensers then provide the requisite ration.