Elements and Performance Criteria

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

What herd details need to be investigated and recorded in relation to the herd and its health status?
Herd details may include last herd Bulk Milk Cell Count (BMCC), number of cows, number of units, incidence of mastitis, and animal behaviour.

Herd health details and health status needs to include what detail in addition to factory records?
Establishing herd health details and health status needs to include an assessment of the severity of teat lesions in the milking herd through consultation with the dairy farmer or relevant industry professionals.

What overall machine specifications need to be recorded?
Overall machine specifications may include details of vacuum pumps, milkline size, milkline fall, airline sizes, regulator detail, pulley and belt sizes, electric motor size, claw specifications, liner and cup specifications, and shaft speeds.

What information is recorded about component condition?
Component condition reports may include reports on the condition of vacuum pumps, regulator, releaser, pipelines, liners, rubberware, claw tubes, milk pump, filtered air filters, automatic cup removers, pulsators, belts, shed design factors, milk filters, and bracketing.

What are the OHS hazards associated with milking equipment?
OHS hazards include mechanical hazards of plant and machines (guarding, noise, etc.) hot water, electricity, and ergonomic hazards.

What are the industry standards against which performance is measured and calculated?
Industry minimum standards recommendations are specified by the Australian Milking Machine Trade Association and are based on the International Standards for Milking Machines ISO5707

Are the vacuum pumps encountered in dairy sheds likely to be of differing configurations?
Vacuum pumps may be oil lube, vane, lobe or liquid-ring versions.

In what range of configurations are milking machines generally installed?
Machines under testing may be installed in herringbone sheds, rotary sheds, and conventional sheds.

How will air consumption be measured?
Air consumption measurement will include the measuring of actual effective reserve, regulator leakage, air consumption of components, air leakage, and airflow change.

What testing equipment is required?
Testing equipment may include manometer, vacuum gauge, mercury column, pulsation tester, and airflow meter.

Are there specific points at which testing must be carried out?
ISO Standards also specify points at which machine testing should be carried out.

What sort of releasers would we expect to find in different sheds?
Releasers may be spit chamber, or replaced by diaphragm or centrifugal milk pumps.

What herd details need to be investigated and recorded in relation to the herd and its health status?
Herd details may include last herd Bulk Milk Cell Count (BMCC), number of cows, number of units, incidence of mastitis, and animal behaviour.

Herd health details and health status needs to include what detail in addition to factory records?
Establishing herd health details and health status needs to include an assessment of the severity of teat lesions in the milking herd through consultation with the dairy farmer or relevant industry professionals.

What overall machine specifications need to be recorded?
Overall machine specifications may include details of vacuum pumps, milkline size, milkline fall, airline sizes, regulator detail, pulley and belt sizes, electric motor size, claw specifications, liner and cup specifications, and shaft speeds.

What information is recorded about component condition?
Component condition reports may include reports on the condition of vacuum pumps, regulator, releaser, pipelines, liners, rubberware, claw tubes, milk pump, filtered air filters, automatic cup removers, pulsators, belts, shed design factors, milk filters, and bracketing.

What are the OHS hazards associated with milking equipment?
OHS hazards include mechanical hazards of plant and machines (guarding, noise, etc.) hot water, electricity, and ergonomic hazards.

What are the industry standards against which performance is measured and calculated?
Industry minimum standards recommendations are specified by the Australian Milking Machine Trade Association and are based on the International Standards for Milking Machines ISO5707

Are the vacuum pumps encountered in dairy sheds likely to be of differing configurations?
Vacuum pumps may be oil lube, vane, lobe or liquid-ring versions.

In what range of configurations are milking machines generally installed?
Machines under testing may be installed in herringbone sheds, rotary sheds, and conventional sheds.

How will air consumption be measured?
Air consumption measurement will include the measuring of actual effective reserve, regulator leakage, air consumption of components, air leakage, and airflow change.

What testing equipment is required?
Testing equipment may include manometer, vacuum gauge, mercury column, pulsation tester, and airflow meter.

Are there specific points at which testing must be carried out?
ISO Standards also specify points at which machine testing should be carried out.

What sort of releasers would we expect to find in different sheds?
Releasers may be spit chamber, or replaced by diaphragm or centrifugal milk pumps.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in mechanical testing of milking machines requires evidence of competence in the static testing of milking equipment. This requires evidence that an individual can accurately carry out these tests including recording, interpreting the results and reporting the results to the dairy farmer or shed manager in understandable terms.
The skills and knowledge required to mechanically test milking machines must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, sheds may vary from small 4 bail walk-throughs to a 100 unit rotary installation, and competence needs to be demonstrated across the range of these environments.
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 listed below:

The International Standards ISO 6690 - 1983 (
OHS hazards associated with milking machines and principles of risk control including machine guarding, protection from hot water or steam scalds, noise control, electrical safety in the dairy, and the responsibilities of people in the workplace
vacuum requirements, pulsation and the interaction between these characteristics in a milking machine
the components that make up milking equipment.
how milking machines work
pulsation systems, e.g. difference between 2x2 or 4x1 systems
the effects of high or low milking machine vacuum on animal health
the establishment and recording of machine specifications includes a working knowledge of how to obtain and interpret manufacturer's specifications.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

through experience, readily complete the necessary calculations and identify leakage and defects isolated from a machine test
competently disassemble and reassemble milking machines and equipment
competently operate milking machine testing equipment
effectively communicate with the farmer or shed manager and relevant industry professionals
access and interpret relevant industry standards
identify and make appropriate recommendations on aspects of milking equipment and shed safety identified during equipment testing procedures
demonstrate a mechanical aptitude in the use of tools and testing equipment, and in the disassembly and reassembly of milking equipment.

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 listed below:

The International Standards ISO 6690 - 1983 (
OHS hazards associated with milking machines and principles of risk control including machine guarding, protection from hot water or steam scalds, noise control, electrical safety in the dairy, and the responsibilities of people in the workplace
vacuum requirements, pulsation and the interaction between these characteristics in a milking machine
the components that make up milking equipment.
how milking machines work
pulsation systems, e.g. difference between 2x2 or 4x1 systems
the effects of high or low milking machine vacuum on animal health
the establishment and recording of machine specifications includes a working knowledge of how to obtain and interpret manufacturer's specifications.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

through experience, readily complete the necessary calculations and identify leakage and defects isolated from a machine test
competently disassemble and reassemble milking machines and equipment
competently operate milking machine testing equipment
effectively communicate with the farmer or shed manager and relevant industry professionals
access and interpret relevant industry standards
identify and make appropriate recommendations on aspects of milking equipment and shed safety identified during equipment testing procedures
demonstrate a mechanical aptitude in the use of tools and testing equipment, and in the disassembly and reassembly of milking equipment.

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
Information collected will be communicated to the testing technician, and the outcomes and their interpretation communicated back to the farmer or shed manager. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Information collected will be communicated to the testing technician, and the outcomes and their interpretation communicated back to the farmer or shed manager. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information will be collected through personal interview and the use of testing equipment, and analysed and organised using industry standard reporting procedures. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information will be collected through personal interview and the use of testing equipment, and analysed and organised using industry standard reporting procedures. (1)

Planning and organising activities
The organisation and sequence of activities is established as a part of the standard industry testing procedures. (1)

Planning and organising activities
The organisation and sequence of activities is established as a part of the standard industry testing procedures. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Whilst testing can be carried out in isolation, the use of teamwork to assist with the testing as well as the dismantling and reassembly of milking installations is far more effective. An individual therefore needs to be able to work independently or in teams. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Whilst testing can be carried out in isolation, the use of teamwork to assist with the testing as well as the dismantling and reassembly of milking installations is far more effective. An individual therefore needs to be able to work independently or in teams. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
The use of mathematical formulae and the calculation of milking equipment performance are critical in the performance of this unit. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
The use of mathematical formulae and the calculation of milking equipment performance are critical in the performance of this unit. (1)

Solving problems
Action to identify operating characteristics and malfunction or poor performance requires reasoning and problem solving abilities. (1)

Solving problems
Action to identify operating characteristics and malfunction or poor performance requires reasoning and problem solving abilities. (1)

Using technology
Milking machine testing equipment, together with the use of calculators and computer recording equipment, are a core part of the performance of this unit. (1)

Using technology
Milking machine testing equipment, together with the use of calculators and computer recording equipment, are a core part of the performance of this unit. (1)