A milking device includes a support device (1) supporting a milking member (2) having a claw (3) and a number of teatcups (4) to be attached to a respective teat of an animal. The support device (1) includes a rear portion (6), an attachment part (9) attaching the support device to a structure, and an arm section (7) having a proximal end portion attached to the rear portion (6) and a distal end portion movable between an active position in the proximity of the animal to be milked and a rest position. A first cavity extends along the arm section and houses a retracting member for retracting the milking member from the teats of the animal. A second cavity for conveying a fluid flow extends along the arm section. The arm section includes an extruded part enclosing the first cavity and the second cavity.

The invention provides a milking device comprising at least one milking cup with a teat space and a pulsation space, a pulsator connected by means of a pulsation line to the pulsation space of the milking cup and provided with a vacuum source, a vacuum line provided with a first controllable valve between the vacuum source and the pulsation line, an aeration line provided with a second controllable valve between the pulsation line and a source of higher pressure, and a pulsator control system for the first and second valves, wherein the pulsator control system comprises a flushing mode for opening and holding open the first and second valves during at least a predefined flushing time which is at least as long as and preferably longer than the pulsation period. In this way it is possible to have both valves open simultaneously and the pulsator will draw in air from the environment in an initially unhindered flow. This flow may be used for example to flush the system with air (blow through) but also for example to measure the air flow and/or pressure drops in the system, and on the basis thereof to determine the degree of soiling of the system.

A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.

A system for milking a group of animals, in particular cows, comprises an accommodation space for the animals, and several fixed milking stations. The milking stations each comprise an opening for entry of the animal from the accommodation space. The system comprises an automatic milking system for automatic milking of animals in the milking stations. The milking system is configured to automatically milk the animal based on the milking animal fulfilling a predefined milking criterion. The system comprises no expulsion means and/or attraction means which can be activated by a control unit to give stimulus for the animal to leave said milking station. The system is also configured to allow animals to enter the milking stations irrespective of whether said animals fulfil the milking criterion.

A system for milking a group of animals, in particular cows, comprising an accommodation space in which the animals roam freely, and a plurality of fixed milking stations. A milk storage tank is placed outside the accommodation space. An automatic milking system for automated milking of the animals comprises at least one autonomous self-propelled trolley with milking cups. The milking system automatically connects the milking cups of the trolley to the teats of the animal. A milk discharge system connects the milking cups to the milk storage tank. The milk discharge system comprises flexible milk lines which are connected to the trolley. The trolley is connected to each milking station through a connection in an animal-free space adjacent to the milking stations. The flexible milk line is configured so the trolley can travel from the animal-free space into each of the milking stations while connected to the trolley.

A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.

A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.

A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.

A system for cleaning a dairy animal milker unit and applying dip to a dairy animal, the system includes a main control, an air supply, a water supply, a backflush fluid supply, a dip supply, a stall control for receiving the air, water, backflush fluid and dip supplies, and a safety valve that is adjacent to a downstream portion of the milker unit to control backflush and dip fluids being fed to the milker unit.

A milking system, including: a vacuum pump, a receiver, a milk line, and a plurality of milking units. Each milking unit is connected to the milk line via a respective milk conduit. Each milking unit is also associated with a respective valve arrangement, arranged in the milk conduit, wherein the valve arrangement includes an adjustable passage for adjustment of the fluid pressure. The system also includes a pressure sensor, arranged to measure fluid pressure in the milk conduit upstream the valve arrangement; and a controller. The controller is configured to obtain a pressure level measurement from the pressure sensor and generate and provide a control signal to the valve arrangement, to adjust the adjustable passage, based on the pressure level measurement.