Circular Yards - Dairy Tech

Phone:

07 873 0819

Fax:

07 873 0839

Address:

178 Maihiihi Road, RD2, Otorohanga, New Zealand

YARDS - CIRCULAR

Circular yards have gates and wash-down lines pivoting from a central post, which allows for no-fuss automation. It's a yard system well suited to split herd milking.

(Note: Some components are available for purchase as separate items from Dairy Tech - see Components.)

Centre Post

The Yard Centre Post in a circular yard is a 100mm galvanized post mounted on the yard sump to allow for water and electrical ducting being run from source to drive and operate backing gates and a TopDog© overhead gate.

Water delivery to the backing gates is via either one or two Dairy Tech rotary water glands, which enable water to flow from inside the centre post, into the gate’s strong-back pipe and then into the gate’s water-pressured McConnel® water-drive unit and scraper wash jets.

A single rotary electric gland on the centre post delivers 24-volt AC power to enable automation of the McConnel water drive units and yard scraper water jets.

Pre-Cast Grated Yard Sump

The central yard sump is constructed of pre-cast concrete with a galvanized steel centre post mount and push-lock high-pressure water connections fitted. The sump is the disposal point for yard waste that is to flow into effluent storage. It includes a hot dip galvanized solid roll bar grate to prevent cow injury.

Automation

The control of backing and overhead gates is initiated by cows walking singly past a teat-spray switch arm that is connected to a cow counter. When a pre-set number of cows has exited a signal is sent to PLCs (programmable logic controllers) that advance the gates a pre-set distance.

Effluent & Water Diverter

The pre-cast concrete water diverter is installed outside the yard perimeter and collects effluent or rainwater off the yard running from the centre post sump. Switched either manually or pneumatically, with the option of automation, the diverter channels effluent and yard wash into effluent storage and rainwater into a clean run-off outlet.

Entrance

A raced, concrete entrance pad is usually sloped away from the yard and is to help remove debris and stones from cow hooves. The option of a foot bath is available.

Exit

A teat-sprayer is installed in the floor at a narrow point in the exit race for animal hygiene and prevention of infection. It is triggered by an automated electric switch as each cow nudges past a teat-spray switch arm.

A pneumatically powered draft gate for separation of cows to be held back for further treatment is positioned at the entrance to a holding pen and vet race area. It is controlled by an operator flicking a console switch.

Weigh Platform

A weigh platform is an option that can be installed in the exit race to work in conjunction with automated draft gates.

Holding Pen

A holding pen is usually attached to the exit race. It leads to a covered vet race to the side of the dairy building.

Vet Race

This is the dairy’s Cow Service Centre where a Dairy Tech designed vet bail, leg mount, winch and head-crush Knecker Knacker™ are installed as one unit.

Loading Race

A loading race from the holding pen or vet race is a further option for easy loading of stock on to a truck. The loading race is concreted in place above a low precast wall with rubber bumper for backing a vehicle against.