When to replace teat liners and why

The teat liner is the only part of a milking machine that touches the animal's teat directly. It is also the part that passes the opening and closing action of the pulsator on to the teat. Its condition therefore directly affects milking speed, milk cleanliness and udder health.

Why liners need regular replacement

At every milking the liner is stretched, put under vacuum and washed with detergent and hot water. Over time it loses its elasticity, and cracks that are hard to see with the naked eye form on its surface.

• A liner that has lost elasticity massages the teat less effectively, so milking takes longer and milk can be left in the udder.
• Milk residue and bacteria collect in the tiny surface cracks, and washing cannot fully clean them out.
• Worn liners can irritate the teat and open the way to udder health problems.
• The cluster may slip or fall off more often during milking.

Signs of wear

• Cracks, splits or a rough surface
• The liner has hardened, gone soft and swollen, or lost its shape
• Colour change or a sticky feel
• Frequent cup slips, or squawking and hissing sounds from air leaks during milking
• Milking time getting noticeably longer

If you see any of these signs, replace the liners even if the scheduled change is not yet due.

General replacement intervals

Replacement intervals are usually worked out by number of milkings rather than by calendar. Widely used guidance is:

• Rubber liners: commonly about every 2,500 milkings or about every 6 months, whichever comes first.
• Silicone liners: last longer, generally somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 milkings.

You can work out how many milkings one cluster does like this: number of animals × milkings per day ÷ number of clusters. For example, if 20 cows are milked twice a day with two clusters, each cluster does 20 milkings a day; for rubber liners, 2,500 milkings comes to about 125 days, or roughly 4 months. The interval recommended by your liner's manufacturer always comes first; if you are unsure, ask Akçay technical service.

What to watch when changing liners

• Change all the liners in a cluster at the same time so every teat is milked the same way.
• Use liners that fit your cluster and your animals. Cow, sheep and goat liners are different.
• Fit the liner without twisting it; a twisted liner will not open and close properly.
• Store spare liners in a cool, dark, dry place away from sunlight and heat sources.
• Write down the date of each change.

Our video shows how to change teat liners step by step. To find liners, clusters or pulsators that fit your machine, use the spare parts section of our site or give us a call.