With the new season approaching, now is the ideal time to assess your rubberware setup and complete a Dairy Shed Rubberware Review.
Addressing any issues from last season early will help optimise performance, improve milk quality, and protect animal health, setting you up to maximise your profitability.
With the right setup, maintenance plan, and timely replacements, your rubberware will help you achieve these goals. Skellerup’s Technical Specialists have prepared a list of things to consider ensuring your setup is ready to deliver peak performance this season.
Liner change: every 2,500 milkings
The liner is the only part of the milking machine that touches the cow, so its performance has a big impact on teat health and milking performance.
Liners should be changed every 2,500 milkings as recommended by DairyNZ. Over time, liners lose shape, tension, and develop splits, which can impact milk flow, increase cup slip, and harbour bacteria. Worn liners are harder on teat skin, and are a risk factor for clinical mastitis and high somatic cell counts.
- Check for: Flex cracks, mineral build-up, distorted mouthpieces.
- Use the Liner Change Calculator: find out when liners are due for change and set a calendar reminder.
Are you using the correct milking liner?
Selecting the right milking liner ensures a secure fit, efficient milk-out, and teat health. Consider mouthpiece size, barrel shape, tailpiece size, and vacuum shut-off. Skellerup liners come in three mouthpiece sizes to fit New Zealand cow breeds to achieve an airtight seal for effective milk out. If you’re unsure, your local Skellerup Technical Specialist can help.
Cluster alignment
Ensure clusters sit evenly under the udder, with weight spread across all four quarters for stable vacuum and efficient milking. Misalignment or incorrect tubing can cause cup slip, longer milking times, and teat damage.
- Check for: Twisted, sagging, or tight tubing.
- Ensure: The long air tube matches the length of the long milk tube.
Milk tubing
Regularly inspect milk tubing for rubber deterioration and replace any rubberware in contact with milk on a seasonal basis or as soon as signs of perishing, cracking, or damage appear, whichever comes first. Assess the internal condition of milk tubing by scraping the inside; if residue leaves a black mark on your hand, it’s time for replacement.
Air tubing
Replace split claw tubes and air tubing straight away as this has a direct impact on pulsation. Improper pulsation can lead to teat damage and impact milk out.
Rubberware care
Rubberware deteriorates with heat, sunlight, and chemical exposure. Correct cleaning and storage extend its life and maintain performance. Use approved chemicals in the correct volumes, wash with hot alkaline detergent twice weekly, and avoid water over 85°C. Keep rubberware out of direct sunlight to prevent rapid deterioration.
Talk to your local TSR or Skellerup Technical Specialist about booking a free Dairy Shed Rubberware Review and get expert advice on optimising your setup.