DELAVAL Swinging Cow Brush SCB

*    Evaluation range:: + + / + /◯ / – / – – (◯ = Standard)

Suitability

Suitability, application and areas of application of the cattle/cow brush were assessed in livestock buildings.

Operational reliability

The operational reliability of the DeLaval Swinging Cow Brush SCB was tested by the German Test
and Certifying Center for Agricultural and Forestry Machinery (DPLF), a notified test institute in accordance with the Equipment Safety Act.

Survey

The test results should be verified by conducting a survey among farmers who were using the same model on their farms.

Technical criteria

Installation

The ease of installation of the brush was assessed in situ; and the installation and operating instructions were assessed.

Durability, wear, operational reliability and maintenance

Durability, wear, reliability and maintenance of the cattle and cow brush were assessed while the brush was being used by the animals.

Contamination and cleaning

The level of contamination and ease of cleaning of the cattle and cow brush was assessed while the brush was being used by the animals.

Power consumption/wattage

The energy consumption was measured with an wattmeter while the brush was idling and while it was brushing an animal for a continued period of two minutes at least. In addition, the power consumption was recorded over a period of one week at least while the brush was being used by the animals. The number of animals in the group that had access to the brush was also recorded.

Warranty

The manufacturer must state whether a warranty is granted for the product and the warranty period.

Animal-related criteria

Animal behaviour

To assess the suitability of the brush for animal care, the animals were observed while using it. The aim was to find out whether the animals could start the brush easily and whether they accepted it readily.

Injuries

It was assessed whether the brush caused any injuries to the animals as they were using it at two livestock farms (tail injuries, skin abrasions, tags torn from ears). Also, the amount of force was measured that had to be applied to the brush to stop it by its motor. This shut-off force was measured using a spring balance and an approx. 2cm wide strap that simulated the tail of an animal. The strap was wrapped around the brush and then pulled using the spring balance until the brush came to a stop. The force applied to stop the brush was read on the spring balance.

Animal cleanliness

At the two livestock farms it was tested whether the brush effectively cleaned all animal parts that were accessible by the brush after this was installed at the proper height from the ground.

Durability and wear

After nearly one year of use in a 70- and 40-head group, only little wear was detected on the brush. Its durability is good. No damage was found on the brush. Wear was relatively low.

Operational reliability

Reliability is good and the brush has worked without any malfunction up to this date.

Maintenance

Maintenance is low. It merely consists of monthly checks of the brush, the threaded assemblies and the gearbox housing. Replacing the rotor is straightforward.

Contamination and cleaning

The testers observed that hairs collected on the floor under the brush. The design of the brush usually requires no regular cleaning. The brush itself can be cleaned easily after removing it from the bracket.

Power consumption/wattage

The energy consumption is approx. 0.77 kWh/day in a herd with 70 cows which is relatively low. The input power is approx. 70 W – approx. 180 W at work and approx. 1.3 W at rest. When resistance increases (and the brush is blocked) input power may temporarily peak at 270 W.

Warranty

The manufacturer gives a one-year warranty on the brush.

Animal-related criteria

Animal behaviour

The animals learn quickly and without problems to use the cow brush. The brush starts rotating on demand when an animal pushes it out of its vertical rest position. It stops within 10 seconds after the animal ceases using it, returning into its vertical rest position. It instantly starts again when the cow contacts it again.

The brush was very well accepted by the animals who enjoyed brushing their skin, particularly their heads, necks, backs and the base of the tail.

Injuries

The testers found no tail injuries, skin abrasions, ear injuries due to torn tags or any other kind of injury at the two livestock farms where the brush was tested for one year. The motor stops instantly when the brush meets with excessive resistance (e.g. when wrapping the tail around the brush).
The measurements showed that the cow brush stops at a relative low force of about 230 N. The retention force after shut-off is very small: 120 N.

This means that the risk of injury to cattle and cows is very low. To cut out any risk of injury, the manufacturer recommends trimming tuft hair as specified in the instructions.

Animal cleanliness

Provided the brush is mounted a the proper height from the ground, it provides effective cleaning to all body parts. The animals accepted the brush readily and on their own initiative.

Manufacturer
DeLaval International AB,
Gustaf de Lavals väg 15,
SE-147 21,
Sweden

Applicant
DeLaval Services GmbH,
Neu Galliner Ring 6,
19258 Gallin, Germany

Contact
Phone +49 (0)40 303344-302,
+49 (0)40 303344-349,
nicolas.tillet@delaval.com
www.delaval.com

DLG TestService GmbH,
Gross-Umstadt location
The tests are conducted on behalf of DLG e.V.

DLG test scope
DLG APPROVED FULL TEST on “Cow brushes”
(date of issue 03, 1999)

Department
Farm buildings and equipment

Head of Department
Graduate engineer. agr. Susanne Gäckler

Test engineer(s)
Dr. Harald Reubold *

DLG Test Commission
Dr. agr. Steffen Pache, Köllitsch
Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Pelzer, Bad Sassendorf
Alfons Baumeister, Bad Sassendorf
Reiner Schmidt, Ronneburg
Dipl.-Ing. agr. Klaus-Werner Wolf, Höchst
DLG Expert Committee on Animal Welfare
Dr. sc. agr. Christiane Müller, Trenthorst

*    Author