Milk tanks

sh1tstirrer · 13-01-2015 3:54pm

Deepsouthwest wrote: »

I know u don't mind, but what if u still wanted it? What deposit secures?

I paid €500 deposit. Yeah if I was going with that tank I would have been left high and dry as they have no other tank like it and when you pay a deposit the tank should not have been sold or he should at least have contacted me about it.

whelan2 · 11-02-2015 9:32pm

did any one else have a problem when they submitted their grant application with the packo version of the certificate of electrical installation, dept is saying the form does not conform with their form

mf240 · 11-02-2015 11:31pm

just do it wrote: »

Anyone have a handy guide/ table regarding tank size required?

If you multiplied your expected number to be milking by 60 litres youd be dead safe for two day collection.

Mf310 · 14-09-2017 5:59pm

Need to buy a new tank here got grant approval so just a matter of finding the right tank now .. will need about 8.5k litre tank .. know a few lads who got liscarroll tanks fitted and seem happy but also there's a lot around with dairymaster tanks .... open to any suggestions and advice also if anyone got prices for bulk tanks recently if they could put them up that'd be a great help thanks

Keepgrowing · 14-09-2017 6:34pm

Mf310 wrote: »

Need to buy a new tank here got grant approval so just a matter of finding the right tank now .. will need about 8.5k litre tank .. know a few lads who got liscarroll tanks fitted and seem happy but also there's a lot around with dairymaster tanks .... open to any suggestions and advice also if anyone got prices for bulk tanks recently if they could put them up that'd be a great help thanks

We fitted a new GEA tank last year. I can't believe how efficient it is at cooling and how much less electricity it uses. A little more expensive but in my view worth it.

Downside is wash time is 40 minutes and it has a digital reader with volume. The danger is making decisions based on this reader

kevthegaff · 14-09-2017 9:29pm

Keepgrowing wrote:

We fitted a new GEA tank last year. I can't believe how efficient it is at cooling and how much less electricity it uses. A little more expensive but in my view worth it.

Keepgrowing wrote:

Downside is wash time is 40 minutes and it has a digital reader with volume. The danger is making decisions based on this reader

Have a dairycool I bought maybe 5 yrs ago, efficient also but with no volume (I wish I had got). Service is a bit slow tho as office is 1 hr away plus I think their installing gea milking parlours now they seem very busy, think 11000 litre tank not sure

mahoney_j · 14-09-2017 10:17pm

kevthegaff wrote: »

Have a dairycool I bought maybe 5 yrs ago, efficient also but with no volume (I wish I had got). Service is a bit slow tho as office is 1 hr away plus I think their installing gea milking parlours now they seem very busy, think 11000 litre tank not sure

Charleville refrigeration tank Kev ???i also have a darikool and service contract ,service no issue .there mad busy installing Gea parlours ,robots and tanks ,booked solid and taking no orders till next April

kowtow · 14-09-2017 10:19pm

mahoney_j wrote:

Charleville refrigeration tank Kev ???i also have a darikool and service contract ,service no issue .there mad busy installing Gea parlours ,robots and tanks ,booked solid and taking no orders till next April

Just bought a tank from them myself they are as busy as hell but they know their stuff and always ready to help.

dar31 · 14-09-2017 11:50pm

April just gone, and as good as 3yrs to the day she's on the move again. This time to new digs

Mooooo · 15-09-2017 8:47am

Dairymaster here going grand. Only in a couple of years. Have heard of a couple of darikool giving trouble but issues were solved so service seems to be good

whelan2 · 15-09-2017 8:51am

Mooooo wrote: »

Dairymaster here going grand. Only in a couple of years. Have heard of a couple of darikool giving trouble but issues were solved so service seems to be good

I have a packo. Have had a good few problems but have a bulk tank maintenance scheme in place so its all looked after. Think I was just unfortunate with the tank I got

Timmaay · 15-09-2017 9:43am

Mooooo wrote: »

Dairymaster here going grand. Only in a couple of years. Have heard of a couple of darikool giving trouble but issues were solved so service seems to be good

Have heard of afew Friday afternoon darakool tanks alright, however another positive vote for them here. I'll admit I bought on price only, KG it would be interesting if the tank manufacturers had some sort of energy rating on them, say number of units to cool your 5kl of milk from 15deg to 4 degrees, wouldn't take much to do a test as such.

Other thing I'll say, I was looking for an 8.5kl tank also, but it was a no brainer to go with an 11kl tank (which is the biggest tank a single 5hp compressor will run), was only about a grand more than the 8.5kl tank, the only difference is another few feet of stainless.

whelan2 · 17-09-2017 11:41am

Neighbour was telling me yesterday he had to get into his dairymaster tank. Water wasn't hot enough for the wash and the whole inside of the tank was manky. Wouldn't like to be climbing in

GrasstoMilk · 17-09-2017 12:13pm

whelan2 wrote: »

Neighbour was telling me yesterday he had to get into his dairymaster tank. Water wasn't hot enough for the wash and the whole inside of the tank was manky. Wouldn't like to be climbing in

I wouldn't get into my tank if I had to. Ceiling is barely and inch over the agitator.
Be s tight squeeze

Mooooo · 17-09-2017 12:23pm

Would get in fine getting out may be an issue.

whelan2 · 17-09-2017 12:29pm

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

I wouldn't get into my tank if I had to. Ceiling is barely and inch over the agitator.
Be s tight squeeze

Ours is the same

Gawddawggonnit · 17-09-2017 12:55pm

Serap here.
Wash takes <20mins but needs water over 60 degrees.
Really efficient cooling. Milk down to 3degrees by the time parlor finished washing, even when in 40+ heat.
Fitted in '08 and never once broke down...I've probably jinxed it now!

Buford T. Justice XIX · 17-09-2017 1:25pm

Mooooo wrote: »

Would get in fine getting out may be an issue.

Sure wouldn't you float to the top when the tank is nearly full and no bother getting out then:)

Timmaay · 17-09-2017 1:28pm

whelan2 wrote: »

Neighbour was telling me yesterday he had to get into his dairymaster tank. Water wasn't hot enough for the wash and the whole inside of the tank was manky. Wouldn't like to be climbing in

Had that problem here when one clock on water heater was gone, hot water just wasn't heating up enough, some cheap crap detergent didn't help either. No issues since I sorted it, nowadays I make sure that I don't ever hotwash the milking machine the day the milk is collected, to make sure that I'm not gonna to be robbing it on the bulk tank.

whelan2 · 17-09-2017 1:33pm

Timmaay wrote: »

Had that problem here when one clock on water heater was gone, hot water just wasn't heating up enough, some cheap crap detergent didn't help either. No issues since I sorted it, nowadays I make sure that I don't ever hotwash the milking machine the day the milk is collected, to make sure that I'm not gonna to be robbing it on the bulk tank.

Milk collected everyday here still. Its collected around 4am. Water heater on from midnight. Then wter is hot again for milking machine wash around 8 am.

Timmaay · 17-09-2017 1:48pm

whelan2 wrote: »

Milk collected everyday here still. Its collected around 4am. Water heater on from midnight. Then wter is hot again for milking machine wash around 8 am.

There is a market out there for a basic bulk tank smart temperature monitor, something that can be retrofitted to any bulk tank (just install another temperature probe in beside the existing bulk tank temperature probe), some sort of basic temperature logger, that will send you a text message if you go outside certain temperature parameters (most important one is that the milk was not cooled due to tank not turned on or a fault in the tank), but it could also monitor for the maximum temperature that is reached during the wash cycle, alongside things like telling you how efficient your cooling is, it could detect very quickly if you say didn't turn on the plate cooler, other things like say dust building up in the compressor and the tank taking longer to cool. Something that the insurance industry should be strongly behind, considering the number of claims that are made due to lost tanks of milk.

Gawddawggonnit · 17-09-2017 2:08pm

Timmaay wrote: »

There is a market out there for a basic bulk tank smart temperature monitor, something that can be retrofitted to any bulk tank (just install another temperature probe in beside the existing bulk tank temperature probe), some sort of basic temperature logger, that will send you a text message if you go outside certain temperature parameters (most important one is that the milk was not cooled due to tank not turned on or a fault in the tank), but it could also monitor for the maximum temperature that is reached during the wash cycle, alongside things like telling you how efficient your cooling is, it could detect very quickly if you say didn't turn on the plate cooler, other things like say dust building up in the compressor and the tank taking longer to cool. Something that the insurance industry should be strongly behind, considering the number of claims that are made due to lost tanks of milk.

The tech is already there Tim. There's exactly that on the chicken houses here. You set the temp parameters and once it goes outside those it rings and texts whoever is on call.
I suppose it gets a little complicated with a tank as the temp changes fairly drastically a couple of times a day.

whelan2 · 17-09-2017 2:32pm

That's on our packo. It will set off an alarm if wash doesn't reach a certain temp. How often does your tank do a descale wash?

Timmaay · 17-09-2017 3:05pm

whelan2 wrote: »

That's on our packo. It will set off an alarm if wash doesn't reach a certain temp. How often does your tank do a descale wash?

You need to manually set it to descale on my tank, I only bother once a month.

Timmaay · 17-09-2017 3:12pm

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

The tech is already there Tim. There's exactly that on the chicken houses here. You set the temp parameters and once it goes outside those it rings and texts whoever is on call.
I suppose it gets a little complicated with a tank as the temp changes fairly drastically a couple of times a day.

Ah yep the tech is there last 20 yrs, I'm talking about a neath little kit specifically for bulk tanks, that the likes of the moocall lads could design and build no bother and sell to the farmer for say a yearly subscription. Only issue with those ones you use for chicken houses are they tend only to have a single upper or lower temperature point, with a bulk tank you more need to monitor the temperature and let an algorithm figure out that the tank is cooling or washing, and then within a set temperature profile and only send you a text if it goes outside of it.

Sam Kade · 17-09-2017 4:09pm

whelan2 wrote: »

Milk collected everyday here still. Its collected around 4am. Water heater on from midnight. Then wter is hot again for milking machine wash around 8 am.

You turn off your water heater? Always leave it on here 365 days a year even when the cows are dry in case of frost.

whelan2 · 17-09-2017 4:12pm

Sam Kade wrote: »

You turn off your water heater? Always leave it on here 365 days a year even when the cows are dry in case of frost.

On a timer, on for 8 hours on night rate electricity

Sam Kade · 17-09-2017 4:18pm

whelan2 wrote: »

On a timer, on for 8 hours on night rate electricity

I also have night rate but you won't burn much electricity by leaving it on all the time. In fact you are using more electricity as the whole tank has to heat up every night.

Mooooo · 17-09-2017 4:59pm

Tank here will text if caustic or acid is low, power outage, not cooling or if milk in tank and cooling not switched on, same with water temps etc. Can text the tank see what's in it and temp as well if away

Gawddawggonnit · 17-09-2017 5:06pm

Mooooo wrote: »

Tank here will text if caustic or acid is low, power outage, not cooling or if milk in tank and cooling not switched on, same with water temps etc. Can text the tank see what's in it and temp as well if away

Nice. What make?

whelan2 · 17-09-2017 5:09pm

Have learnt to have clear drums for the detergent going to the tank, then you can see how much is in them

Mooooo · 17-09-2017 5:32pm

Gawddawggonnit wrote: »

Nice. What make?

Dairymaster

Calfscour · 24-02-2018 9:39pm

DO NOT BUY A DAIRYMASTER TANK

I put one in new in 13 and have had nothing but trouble service man here every week.

I'm changing it now and most companies won't even trade it because of the trouble they are giving. This is no joke.

Can hardly give the ****ing heap of dung away. A bag of sediment left in it after every wash have to go in with the hose after every collection.

Dairymaster in Kerry are aware of it but don't give a ****e they pass the blame onto me every time. They'll take your money and then your on your own.

Timmaay · 24-02-2018 10:32pm

It too level? Would you not jack up the back a good inch or 2 and see if that makes it run out? Can you not adjust the wash cycle settings to make it rince out for longer at the end?

Finally whereas it's a pain having to hose out after each milking, I'd stomach having to still do this rather than have to change the tank. Rig up a tap and hose pipe to make the job slightly easier for yourself. (and no I'm certainly not trying to defend DM, personally I avoid them also, just trying to offer solutions)

kevthegaff · 24-02-2018 10:48pm

Have a dairycool, no problems first 5 years. But lately maybe 1 or 2 call outs per annum. Find their guys are slow to call out as their doing West f alia robots and normal parlours last 2 years. Not a bad tank but wish I'd gone pack for a few more k

whelan2 · 24-02-2018 10:52pm

kevthegaff wrote: »

Have a dairycool, no problems first 5 years. But lately maybe 1 or 2 call outs per annum. Find their guys are slow to call out as their doing West f alia robots and normal parlours last 2 years. Not a bad tank but wish I'd gone pack for a few more k

I think they are all good but there's an odd bad one, I have a packo, milk collected daily , so wash etc used more, I have had problems but have cover. Giving problems again at the minute, where tank isnt emptying during wash, some sensor or other . New circuit board in my one and numerous sensors, only 3 years old

yewtree · 24-02-2018 10:59pm

Have a liscarol here works away grand. It's my second one so will stay with them now.

Mooooo · 24-02-2018 11:07pm

Dairymaster here, no issues so far touch wood. 're the sediment have they tried adjusting the water volume used, other settings etc? sediment should be sorted, who has the service contract? Lads that have ours here put in the tank all dairymaster did was deliver it. Using avalksan in wash and that can block the feed lines a bit alright.

Wildsurfer · 26-02-2018 12:59am

Calfscour wrote: »

DO NOT BUY A DAIRYMASTER TANK

I put one in new in 13 and have had nothing but trouble service man here every week.

I'm changing it now and most companies won't even trade it because of the trouble they are giving. This is no joke.

Can hardly give the ****ing heap of dung away. A bag of sediment left in it after every wash have to go in with the hose after every collection.

Dairymaster in Kerry are aware of it but don't give a ****e they pass the blame onto me every time. They'll take your money and then your on your own.

When you say sediment what do you mean? Sediment would be your own problem as water quality would be the issue. I have a Dairymaster tank since 2014 and very happy with it. They do have some water fittings over the dosing pumps though which was a bad design, any drip causes rust on pumps. They might have reconfigured that by now. Text alert is a great backp too.

Agrigreen · 04-04-2018 8:12pm

Have to echo the post about avoiding a dairymaster tank. Took out a Packo 4 years ago and put a 10000l dairymaster in. Regularly getting in to wash it manually. Compressor was undersized from day 1 but didn’t notice at the time as I bought it plenty big with plans to expand. It’s a 5hp and taking up to 4 hours to cool. Nothing but trouble. Tried to get a company to take it on a service contract but the 2 local crowds won’t touch it because they knew the problems with them. Pay per callout only. Don’t be sucked in by the sales talk like I was because by talking to others and reading here, I’m not the only one having problems.

Milkingmad · 01-05-2018 9:51pm

What’s the thoughts on service contracts? Have a Liscarroll tank that’s 5 years old and starting to give problems, few bits and pieces gone lately.

whelan2 · 01-05-2018 10:07pm

Milkingmad wrote: »

What’s the thoughts on service contracts? Have a Liscarroll tank that’s 5 years old and starting to give problems, few bits and pieces gone lately.

Wouldn't be without the contract here. Has paid for itself many times

Milkingmad · 01-05-2018 10:17pm

whelan2 wrote: »

Wouldn't be without the contract here. Has paid for itself many times

I agree contract on old tank was well worth the money. Will be putting it back on contact the second half of this year.

Service man also said he could not guarantee me service at busy times that if he had 5 calls and The rest were on contract he would have to get to them first and if he had time he’d get to me then. Which is fair enough I suppose.
Not much use if I have a full tank of hot milk. Paying for peace of mind really

Coolfresian · 02-05-2018 11:06am

Milkingmad wrote: »

What’s the thoughts on service contracts? Have a Liscarroll tank that’s 5 years old and starting to give problems, few bits and pieces gone lately.

As others have said gives great price of mind. Have a delaval tank 3 years now, never any trouble. Had the service contract on it since I bought it. Seems like a waste of money now but won't take it off at this stage.

Dakota Dan · 02-05-2018 11:29am

No contract here on an older mueller tank, repairs only cost €300 over the last 3 years. No preferential treatment to contract customers either if I need the serviceman he'll arrive on time.

Milkingmad · 02-05-2018 11:48am

Dakota Dan wrote: »

No contract here on an older mueller tank, repairs only cost €300 over the last 3 years. No preferential treatment to contract customers either if I need the serviceman he'll arrive on time.

I suppose it depends who provides the service,
The problem I would have with that set up would be if I rang my service man Sunday evening with a tank of hot milk he is obliged to come out as i will have a contract with him to do so.
Otherwise your really just hoping he will call out of good will and you have no come back if he doesn’t. I know you can go somewhere else for service but good lads seem to be hard got and that’s not much use if you have to let a full tank down the drain.I know a lot of Electrician’s and plumbers that there wouldn’t be a hope of them coming out on a Sunday to fix something. Might never happen but In my opinion it’s worth it When something does go wrong.

Dakota Dan · 02-05-2018 3:24pm

Milkingmad wrote: »

I suppose it depends who provides the service,
The problem I would have with that set up would be if I rang my service man Sunday evening with a tank of hot milk he is obliged to come out as i will have a contract with him to do so.
Otherwise your really just hoping he will call out of good will and you have no come back if he doesn’t. I know you can go somewhere else for service but good lads seem to be hard got and that’s not much use if you have to let a full tank down the drain.I know a lot of Electrician’s and plumbers that there wouldn’t be a hope of them coming out on a Sunday to fix something. Might never happen but In my opinion it’s worth it When something does go wrong.

One of the call outs was at milking time on a Sunday evening and the serviceman was on in half an hour. Another crowd that I was asking about a contract said it could be around €700/year because the tank is over 20 years old.

Timmaay · 02-05-2018 4:00pm

Same here, I don't bother with the contract anymore, had to call out the service chap twice in the 5 odd yrs I've had the tank, no problem anytime getting him.

Agrigreen · 07-05-2018 6:08pm

How much are service contracts this year? My dairymaster lost its gas a few weeks ago and it cost 600+ VAT. Service man was telling me gas prices are rising at a crazy rate. Anyone had to gas their tanks recently?

Milkingmad · 07-05-2018 6:33pm

Agrigreen wrote: »

How much are service contracts this year? My dairymaster lost its gas a few weeks ago and it cost 600+ VAT. Service man was telling me gas prices are rising at a crazy rate. Anyone had to gas their tanks recently?

Yea I was googling it recently it’s one thing that made me sign up to a contract this year.
R404 is the gas is my compressor’s,service man said there’s about 6kg in each unit. He said the gas at the moment is about 75euro per kg and going by google it’s just going to keep rising until they ban it outright. As you said if something breaks and it lets off all the gas it’s going to be a big bill. Service man said gas would be covered under the contract. Think it came to around 500 plus vat per year with Glanbia. I phoned a few and they seem to range from about 500-750 plus vat.
Service man came out and inspected my set up and then signed me up.

Milk tanks

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