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 standards are used in calculating milking machine performance?

Are there other tasks that need to be done when the vacuum pump is and vacuum regulator is serviced?
The service and repair of vacuum pumps and vacuum regulator may also include the adjustment of vacuum pressure or available effective reserve.

What body is responsible for the maintenance of prescribed workplace standards for noise?
The state Workcover Authority prescribes workplace standards for noise and all other issues of workplace health and safety.

What is required when servicing the regulator?
Regulator servicing may include the cleaning and repair or replacement of valves, valve seats, air filter and air passages.

What work can be carried out on pulsators and electronic components?
This competency standard only covers the service and repair of low voltage pulsation or other electronic systems (up to 36v DC).

What sorts of faults are likely to be apparent when the pulsator system is working ineffectively?
Ineffective pulsator performance may be due to a range of factors including incorrect valve clearance, dirty or worn valves and seats, collapsed air tubes, blocked choke hole, pulsator not aligned with the hole in the pulsator airline, leaking fittings or air tubes, shorting or loose electrical connections, split or perished diaphragms and worn slides or other parts in a mechanical pulsator.

Are there other items that need to be checked when servicing milk pumps and vacuum pumps?
The repair and service of milk pumps and vacuum pumps includes the repair and replacement of drives (including belts & pulleys) and couplings together with the replenishment of oiling systems.
Milk pumps may be centrifugal or diaphragm.

What vacuum pumps need to be serviced?
Vacuum pumps may be slow speed two vane, high speed four vane or liquid ring pumps

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 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 standards are used in calculating milking machine performance?

Are there other tasks that need to be done when the vacuum pump is and vacuum regulator is serviced?
The service and repair of vacuum pumps and vacuum regulator may also include the adjustment of vacuum pressure or available effective reserve.

What body is responsible for the maintenance of prescribed workplace standards for noise?
The state Workcover Authority prescribes workplace standards for noise and all other issues of workplace health and safety.

What is required when servicing the regulator?
Regulator servicing may include the cleaning and repair or replacement of valves, valve seats, air filter and air passages.

What work can be carried out on pulsators and electronic components?
This competency standard only covers the service and repair of low voltage pulsation or other electronic systems (up to 36v DC).

What sorts of faults are likely to be apparent when the pulsator system is working ineffectively?
Ineffective pulsator performance may be due to a range of factors including incorrect valve clearance, dirty or worn valves and seats, collapsed air tubes, blocked choke hole, pulsator not aligned with the hole in the pulsator airline, leaking fittings or air tubes, shorting or loose electrical connections, split or perished diaphragms and worn slides or other parts in a mechanical pulsator.

Are there other items that need to be checked when servicing milk pumps and vacuum pumps?
The repair and service of milk pumps and vacuum pumps includes the repair and replacement of drives (including belts & pulleys) and couplings together with the replenishment of oiling systems.
Milk pumps may be centrifugal or diaphragm.

What vacuum pumps need to be serviced?
Vacuum pumps may be slow speed two vane, high speed four vane or liquid ring pumps

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 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 evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in requires evidence that the technician is able to identify faults in milking machine performance and carry out the necessary repairs to restore designed performance.
The skills and knowledge required to service and repair milking equipment must be transferable to differing work environments. For example, repairs may need to be carried out on equipment ranging from small in line plant through to the largest rotary installation. Competence also includes an awareness of the boundaries of the individuals' capabilities and when to call in specialist advice.
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:

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 that indicates poor performance such as cup slip, agitation or frequent urination or defecation.
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.
OHS guidelines for working with machinery in the rural sector

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:

observe and critically evaluate the performance of milking equipment
competently operate the full range of milking equipment components
efficiently and effectively carry out mechanical testing of milking equipment
operate hand tools and use a range of test equipment proficiently
read and interpret operator's manuals and maintenance and diagnostic data supplied
communicate effectively with the dairy farmer, milkers and other personnel to identify all contributing factors to milking equipment performance
disassemble and re-assemble a range of milking equipment components such as pulsators, regulators and vacuum pumps.

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:

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 that indicates poor performance such as cup slip, agitation or frequent urination or defecation.
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.
OHS guidelines for working with machinery in the rural sector

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:

observe and critically evaluate the performance of milking equipment
competently operate the full range of milking equipment components
efficiently and effectively carry out mechanical testing of milking equipment
operate hand tools and use a range of test equipment proficiently
read and interpret operator's manuals and maintenance and diagnostic data supplied
communicate effectively with the dairy farmer, milkers and other personnel to identify all contributing factors to milking equipment performance
disassemble and re-assemble a range of milking equipment components such as pulsators, regulators and vacuum pumps.

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
Sound communication with the farmer or shed operator and the related milk-harvesting professionals is essential in the performance of this unit (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Sound communication with the farmer or shed operator and the related milk-harvesting professionals is essential in the performance of this unit (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 in adherence with maintenance and service schedules prescribed by the equipment manufacturers. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Through coordination with milking routines and in adherence with maintenance and service schedules prescribed by the equipment manufacturers. (2)

Working with others and in teams
The conduct of these activities needs to be carried out in team environment. (2)

Working with others and in teams
The conduct of these activities needs to be carried out in team environment. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
The use of mathematical formulae in the calculation of equipment performance and compliance with program maintenance schedules is integral to the performance of this unit. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
The use of mathematical formulae in the calculation of equipment performance and compliance with program maintenance schedules is integral to the performance of this unit. (2)

Solving problems
Problem solving including the identification of machine and equipment faults and repair of those faults is a prime focus of the performance of this unit. (3)

Solving problems
Problem solving including the identification of machine and equipment faults and repair of those faults is a prime focus of the performance of this unit. (3)

Using technology
A range of testing and diagnostic equipment will be used in the performance of this unit. (2)

Using technology
A range of testing and diagnostic equipment will be used in the performance of this unit. (2)