Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts.

What OHS hazards may be identified?
OHS hazards may include exposure to moving machinery parts such as unguarded belts, pulleys or milking platforms, electrical hazards posed by faulty damaged, or poorly located electrical installations, operator hazards posed by hot water or faulty joins in pipework.

What sort of evidence would indicate poor milking performance?
Faults such as cup slip may occur as a result of low vacuum, poor pulsation, faulty pulsators, ineffective pulsation, insufficient milkline size, insufficient milkline slope, poor operator technique, poor machine configuration, and animal behaviour.

What sorts of electrical appliances or influences can cause faults?
External influences such as electric fencing, or poor earthing of other electrical components may be responsible for stray voltage problems within the shed environment.
Electronic components (12V or 24V) which will be checked with a multimeter may include pulsators, solenoids, air injectors and actuators.

What sort of animal behaviour is evidence of external faults affecting equipment performance?
Abnormal behaviour such as restlessness, tramping, kicking (including kicking off cups), frequent urination or defecation may be evidence of external influences affecting machine performance.

What sort of tasks are envisaged as a part of operational service?
Operational service is likely to include the following tasks:
setting, adjusting and servicing pulsators
inspecting and servicing vacuum pumps
topping up of oil or water in vacuum pumps
servicing of milk pumps
cleaning and servicing of automatic cup removers
cleaning servicing and adjusting vacuum gauges and regulators
sizing and tensioning belts
adjusting liner stretch
cleaning plate cooler
strengthening, replacing or providing new bracketing.

What are the machine components that need to be considered for inspection or service?
Machine components may include vacuum pumps, regulator, milk pumps, vacuum gauges, pulsators, entire milking systems, cup removers.
Advanced or automated equipment such as cup removers or milk meters, where fitted, should also be inspected.

What maintenance routines are required as a part of minor service of milking equipment
Maintenance routines include service and replacement, if required, of drive belts, oilers, rubberware, safety guards, unions, and stainless steel snap clamps.

What sort of adjustments would be carried out to milking equipment as a minor service routine?
Adjustment and/or replacement of belts and drive components vacuum adjustments, liner stretch adjustments, and regulator adjustment. Minor service will also include the filling of oilers and the replacement of air and other filters as required.

What are the consumables that will be replaced as a part of maintenance routines?
Rubberware such as liners, tubing and belts as well as oil wipers, grease containers, indicator globes, guides and limit switch actuators and air filters on pipework and pulsators need to be considered. Milk filters will also be replaced as a part of regular routines. All these consumables will be inspected for wear and deterioration and replaced as required.

What industry standards are used in calculating milking machine performance?
Industry minimum standards recommendations are specified by the Australian Milking Machine Trade Association and are based on the

What OHS hazards may be identified?
OHS hazards may include exposure to moving machinery parts such as unguarded belts, pulleys or milking platforms, electrical hazards posed by faulty damaged, or poorly located electrical installations, operator hazards posed by hot water or faulty joins in pipework.

What sort of evidence would indicate poor milking performance?
Faults such as cup slip may occur as a result of low vacuum, poor pulsation, faulty pulsators, ineffective pulsation, insufficient milkline size, insufficient milkline slope, poor operator technique, poor machine configuration, and animal behaviour.

What sorts of electrical appliances or influences can cause faults?
External influences such as electric fencing, or poor earthing of other electrical components may be responsible for stray voltage problems within the shed environment.
Electronic components (12V or 24V) which will be checked with a multimeter may include pulsators, solenoids, air injectors and actuators.

What sort of animal behaviour is evidence of external faults affecting equipment performance?
Abnormal behaviour such as restlessness, tramping, kicking (including kicking off cups), frequent urination or defecation may be evidence of external influences affecting machine performance.

What sort of tasks are envisaged as a part of operational service?
Operational service is likely to include the following tasks:
setting, adjusting and servicing pulsators
inspecting and servicing vacuum pumps
topping up of oil or water in vacuum pumps
servicing of milk pumps
cleaning and servicing of automatic cup removers
cleaning servicing and adjusting vacuum gauges and regulators
sizing and tensioning belts
adjusting liner stretch
cleaning plate cooler
strengthening, replacing or providing new bracketing.

What are the machine components that need to be considered for inspection or service?
Machine components may include vacuum pumps, regulator, milk pumps, vacuum gauges, pulsators, entire milking systems, cup removers.
Advanced or automated equipment such as cup removers or milk meters, where fitted, should also be inspected.

What maintenance routines are required as a part of minor service of milking equipment
Maintenance routines include service and replacement, if required, of drive belts, oilers, rubberware, safety guards, unions, and stainless steel snap clamps.

What sort of adjustments would be carried out to milking equipment as a minor service routine?
Adjustment and/or replacement of belts and drive components vacuum adjustments, liner stretch adjustments, and regulator adjustment. Minor service will also include the filling of oilers and the replacement of air and other filters as required.

What are the consumables that will be replaced as a part of maintenance routines?
Rubberware such as liners, tubing and belts as well as oil wipers, grease containers, indicator globes, guides and limit switch actuators and air filters on pipework and pulsators need to be considered. Milk filters will also be replaced as a part of regular routines. All these consumables will be inspected for wear and deterioration and replaced as required.

What industry standards are used in calculating milking machine performance?
Industry minimum standards recommendations are specified by the Australian Milking Machine Trade Association and are based on the

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in carrying out minor service of milking equipment requires evidence that an individual is familiar with a range of indicators that will be used as evidence of defective machine performance as well as an awareness of the regular maintenance routines required for milking equipment.
The skills and knowledge required to carry out minor service of milking equipment must be transferable to differing work environments. For example, they should apply to a variety of typical installations ranging from the very large rotary dairies to the smallest walk-through installation.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are as follows:

familiarity with the components that make up milking equipment installations and their individual contributions to milking function
common symptoms of poor milking machine performance
symptoms demonstrated by animals in the milking environment when external problems are apparent
routine maintenance requirements for milking equipment
consumable replacement strategies recommended for milking equipment
lubrication requirements for milking equipment
industry safety standards for milking equipment installations.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complimentary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

observe and critically evaluate the performance of milking equipment
operate the full range of milking equipment components
identify common sources of air leakage
operate hand tools and use a range of test equipment proficiently
read and interpret operator's manuals and maintenance data supplied
communicate effectively with the dairy farmer, milkers and other personnel to identify all contributing factors to milking equipment performance
disassemble and assemble a range of milking equipment components such as pulsators, regulators.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are as follows:

familiarity with the components that make up milking equipment installations and their individual contributions to milking function
common symptoms of poor milking machine performance
symptoms demonstrated by animals in the milking environment when external problems are apparent
routine maintenance requirements for milking equipment
consumable replacement strategies recommended for milking equipment
lubrication requirements for milking equipment
industry safety standards for milking equipment installations.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complimentary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

observe and critically evaluate the performance of milking equipment
operate the full range of milking equipment components
identify common sources of air leakage
operate hand tools and use a range of test equipment proficiently
read and interpret operator's manuals and maintenance data supplied
communicate effectively with the dairy farmer, milkers and other personnel to identify all contributing factors to milking equipment performance
disassemble and assemble a range of milking equipment components such as pulsators, regulators.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
It is paramount in the performance of this unit that sound communication linkages are established with the farmer or shed operator and other milk-harvesting professionals. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
It is paramount in the performance of this unit that sound communication linkages are established with the farmer or shed operator and other milk-harvesting professionals. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Through collation of equipment service records and interview of the personnel associated with the shed operation. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Through collation of equipment service records and interview of the personnel associated with the shed operation. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Through coordination with milking routines and using programmed maintenance and service schedules. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Through coordination with milking routines and using programmed maintenance and service schedules. (1)

Working with others and in teams
The conduct of these activities needs to be coordinated with the operators of the shed in team environment. (1)

Working with others and in teams
The conduct of these activities needs to be coordinated with the operators of the shed in team environment. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
The use of mathematical formulae in the calculation of milking equipment performance and adhering to programmed maintenance schedules is integral to the performance of this unit. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
The use of mathematical formulae in the calculation of milking equipment performance and adhering to programmed maintenance schedules is integral to the performance of this unit. (1)

Solving problems
Problem solving including the identification of poor performance and identification of the causes is a prime focus of the performance of this unit. (2)

Solving problems
Problem solving including the identification of poor performance and identification of the causes is a prime focus of the performance of this unit. (2)

Using technology
A range of testing and diagnostic equipment will be used in the performance of this unit. (1)

Using technology
A range of testing and diagnostic equipment will be used in the performance of this unit. (1)