Bail and pipework
The benefits of getting the design right include:
- Decreased animal health costs - good platform and pipework design will lower the incidence of cow injuries.
- Increased worker safety and comfort - include ergonomics in the design to increase worker comfort and decrease injuries. Bails and pipework which are designed correctly will position cows in a way that decreases the danger to milkers.
- Improved cow flow - well designed bails and pipework will maximise the cow flow through the dairy and simplify handling.
The Pit
The pit is the area of the dairy where milkers spend most of their time. A poorly designed pit can reduce milking efficiency and lead to injury. Pits should be designed for milker comfort, safety and ease of movement.
The benefits of getting the pit dimensions right include:
- Increased worker safety and comfort - including ergonomics in the pit design will decrease injuries.
- Increased work efficiency - correctly designed pits will allow milkers to work more efficiently, saving time when milking.
Projects to look at
- Consider a mirror for checking yard situation and backing gate placement, rather than looking into or entering the yard (disrupting cows).
- Exit and backing gate control access in multiple places in the pit.
- Any meal feeders divided into two sections so you can be feed half a row at a time.
- Keep pit floors clear of hoses and other items by providing convenient, safe storage space in the pit.
- A storage cabinet in the pit area means that the milker does not have to leave the pit to retrieve utensils such as scissors, RMT kits and spray paint etc.