Silclear silicone milking liners and shells have been used successfully in the UK and worldwide since 1998. When switching to silicone liners, in many cases, they can be installed into a parlour with little or no adjustment to the equipment, providing farmers with an immediate upgrade in cow comfort and teat health.
Every parlour setup is slightly different, however, and sometimes a few small adjustments will be needed to help optimise performance. Below, we share practical advice on how to get the very best from Silclear liners and shells during the switch. (Download the PDF Guide)
1. Ensuring a Secure Fit on the Claws
If liners appear to slip off the claws, it is usually due to either claw design or hygiene factors:
- Claw spigot size:
- Some milking claws, such as DeLaval Visiflow, have shorter and thinner spigots. These may require the use of GRIPPAs and/or liner sleeves to hold liners securely.
- At the other extreme, larger spigots (found on some Scandinavian-made claws) can also cause slippage. Silicone’s natural elasticity may allow the liner to slide back.
- Fat and grease build-up:
- Deposits between the liner and spigot can reduce grip. Thoroughly degrease the spigots and recondition the silicone (see Silclear’s Reconditioning Information) to remove fats and restore a secure fit.
2. Preventing Liner Slip During Milking
Occasionally, liners may slip from the cow due to inconsistent teat-end vacuum levels. The causes can vary widely, including:
- Greasy liners or udder salves on teats.
- Irregular teat conformation.
- Claws not hanging squarely under the cow.
- Short milk tubes.
- Equipment configuration issues.
In many cases a small increase in vacuum (often around 2 kPa) is enough to stop liner slip. Farmers should not be concerned about making this adjustment. Silclear liners are lighter and gentler than traditional rubber liners, which compensates for a slightly higher vacuum setting.
Another key is to monitor teat condition. After milking, teats should look healthy and pink, with no red rings or stress marks. If this is the case, then milking at a slightly higher vacuum is not only acceptable but preferable to milking less effectively at a lower setting.
The smooth internal surface of Silclear liners minimises friction with the teat. While rubber liners rely on friction to hold on (sometimes at the cost of teat health), Silclear liners provide a more comfortable and gentle milking action.
If slippage persists, consider:
- Checking pulsation settings (ratio, phases, service status). Static tests give some information, but a dynamic test is needed for the full picture during actual milking.
- Ensuring pipework capacity matches the number of milking units in use. Extra units without upgraded pipework can cause vacuum fluctuations.
- Confirming vacuum gauge placement and regulator responsiveness.
- Checking claw air bleed holes are clear.
For further detail, see Optimising Pulsation Settings with Silclear Liners & Shells.
3. Helping Cows Milk Out Fully
When switching to silicone liners, most herds adapt very quickly. Heifers tend to accept them immediately, while some older cows may take a few weeks to fully adjust. For slow-milking cows, it is especially important to review vacuum, pulsator ratio and pulsation phases.
Farmers often find that cows which were previously slow to milk out actually speed up once Silclear liners are in place, thanks to their gentle and efficient action.
Long-Term Benefits of Persevering
Switching to Silclear liners may involve a short period of adjustment, but the long-term gains are significant. By maintaining consistent teat health and reducing stress on the udder, Silclear liners support both cow welfare and equipment longevity.
If questions arise during installation or milking, Silclear is here to provide guidance and support. With the right setup, Silclear silicone liners deliver a smoother, healthier, and more reliable milking process.
For more information or more specific questions, contact our team on +44 (0)1425 610700, email info@silclear.com, or contact us here.
