Animat cow mattress Animattress III

DLG-APPROVED: "Deformability/Elasticity, Permanent Tread Load, Abrasion, Slip resistance, Acid resistance, Cleaning distance"

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Test report 7426

The approval

A test mark “DLG-APPROVED for individual criteria“ is awarded for agricultural products which have success­fully fulfilled a scope-reduced usability testing conducted by DLG according to independent and recognised evaluation criteria. The test is intended to highlight particular innovations and key criteria of the test object. The test may contain criteria from the DLG test scope for overall tests, or focus on other value-determining characteristics and properties of the test subject. The minimum requirements, test conditions and procedures as well as the evaluation bases of the test results will be specified in consul­tation with an expert group of DLG. They corres­pond to the recognised rules of technology, as well as scien­tific and agricultural knowledge and requirements. The successful testing is concluded with the publication of a test report, as well as the awarding of the test mark which is valid for five years from the date of awarding. 

The DLG Appoved Test “Deformability/Elasticity, Permanent Tread Load, Abrasion, Slip resistance, Acid resistance, cleaning distance” includes technical measurements on test stands of the DLG Test Center. The deformability and elasticity, the abrasion resistance, the slip resistance, the acid resistance, the cleaning distance were measured and a permanent tread load was applied. The test was based on the DLG Testing Framework for elastic stable flooring, as of December 2018 and DIN 3763:2022-08 (Elastic floorings for cattle and dairy cows walking and rest surfaces – Requirements and testing).

Other criteria were not investigated.

Animat cow mattress Animattress III

Assessment – brief summary

The Animattress III tested here, an elastic floor covering for the resting area in cubicle houses, was investigated with regard to durability and comfort properties on test stands in the DLG Approved Test.

The deformability and elasticity of the rubber mat, the abrasion resistance, the acid resistance, the cleaning distance were measured and a permanent tread load was applied. 

Requirements of DIN 3763 are fulfilled. Deformation and Elasticity corresponds to class 2 DIN 3763.

Table 1: Overview of results

DLG quality profileEvaluation
Deformability and elasticity in new condition
■■■■*
Deformability and elasticity following endurance test
■■■■*
Lasting deformation following endurance test
■■■■■*
No noticeable wear following endurance test
■■■■*
Abrasion/Wear resistance
■■■■*
Resistance to feed acid mixture
■■***
Resistance to uric acid
■■■***
Resistance to sulfurous acid
■■■***
Resistance to ammonia
■■■***
Resistance to barn disinfectants
■■■***
Resistance to peracetic acid
■■■***
Slip resistance
■■**
Cleaning distance with flat jet nozzle
■■■*
Cleaning distance with a coarse dirt remover
■■■*

DLG Evaluation range:
*  ■ ■  or better = meets, exceeds or significantly exceeds the established DLG standards, 
■ ■ = meets the legal requirements for marketability,  = failed
**   Single criteria slip resistance:    =  passed,  =  failed
***    Single criteria acid resistance:   ■ ■ = resistant, ■ ■  = limited resistant,   = failed

The product

Description and Technical Data

The Animattress III cubicle mattress tested here is an elastic floor covering for use in the resting area of high cubicles in cubicle houses; it has a thickness of approx. 32 mm.

Black rubber mat

  • upper side with pebble surface
  • under side with conical knops in two sizes
  • big knops 20 mm high and 29 mm at the bottom and 21 mm at the top
  • small knops 13 mm high and 29 mm at the bottom and 25 mm at the top
  • Shore A hardness: approx. 70
  • laid as single mat

The method

Deformability and elasticity

The deformability is measured in new condition and following permanent tread load using ball penetration tests with a calotte (r = 120 mm) and a penetration force of 2,000 N (corresponding to approx. 200 kg).

Permanent tread load

The permanent tread load is measured on a test stand with a round steel foot in the standard test programme with 100,000 alternating loads at 10,000 N (corresponding to approx. 1,000 kg). The steel foot is adapted to the natural conditions as an “artificial cow foot”. The foot has a diameter of 105 mm and therefore a contact area of 75 cm²; the carrying edge of the hoof is simulated by a 5 mm wide ring on the periphery of the sole that projects 1 mm above the rest of the surface.

Abrasion test

In a standardised abrasion test with 10.000 cycles the top cover was grinded with an emery cloth (granulation 280) and a grinding pressure of 500 N (= 8.1 N/cm2 surface pressure). The friction element was cooled continuous with water to prevent an influence of the generated heat during the abrasion test. The size of the grinded area was 61,5 cm².

Slip resistance

The measurements were carried out with the ­ComfortControl test rig of the DLG test centre. A loaded (10 kg) round plastic foot (105 mm diameter, with a contact area of 75 cm2, 3 mm wide ring at the periphery of the ground) was pulled with a velocity of 20 mm/s across the mat.

Acid resistance

A permanent dipping test in accordance to DIN 3763 2022-08 was carried out. Test samples (size 30 mm x 30 mm) were completely dipped into different test liquids for 24 hours and 28 days (room temperature 20° Celsius). In the 28 days test the liquids were changed weekly. After the 28 days the samples were washed with distillate water and dried for 24 hours. Before and after the dipping the weight, the dimensions and the shore hardness (shore A) of the test samples were measured.

Additional visual evaluation was done for alterations like colour changing, swelling, destruction or crys­tallisation. All samples were evaluated in comparison to the standard water.

Cleaning distance

In test stand trials with a high pressure cleaner (approximately 145 bar, exposure period 1 minute with a 25° flat jet nozzle and a coarse dirt remover) the distance was measured where no damage occurs.

Figure 2: Permanent tread load
Figure 2: Permanent tread load
Figure 3: Determination of the cleaning distance
Figure 3: Determination of the cleaning distance

The test results in detail

Deformability and elasticity

In the ball penetration tests in new condition with a calotte (r = 120 mm), penetration depth was 10.1 mm. The resulting calculated bearing pressure of 26.2 N/cm² indicates a low load on the carpal joints when lying down and getting up. Elasticity was measured following a per­manent tread load exerted by a steel foot (contact area: 75 cm²) with 100,000 alternating loads at 10,000 N. 

Following the endurance test,  the penetration depth of the calotte increased from 10.1 mm to 10.7 mm. The bearing pressure decreased from 26.2 N/cm² to 24.8 N/cm² (see Fig. 4). This means that deformability and elasticity slightly increase.

Permanent tread load

No noticeable wear was observed following exposure to permanent tread load on a test stand with 100,000 alternating loads at 10,000 N. No lasting deformation was observed.

Abrasion test

The abrasion depth after 10,000 cycles amounted to 1.0 mm, this corresponds to approximately 3 % of the rubber thickness. 
Of the ground surface 4.0 grams were rubbed off.

Slip Resistance

The slide pulling tests showed a good slip resistance on the dry or wet rubber mat surface in new condition. 
The measured friction coefficients (μ) surpassed the minimal value of μ = 0,40 (DIN 3763) and μ = 0.45 (DLG test program).

Acid resistance

The rubber mat was limited resistant against Uric acid and resistant against the other test liquids used.

The differences in weight, thickness and Shore A hardness between the acid treated and not acid treated samples were minor and lay in the range of water as standard.

Against the used liquids the rubber mat seems to be satisfactorily suited for the described use. 

Cleaning distance

In test stand trials with a high pressure cleaner damage to the cover of the mattress only occurred when a minimum distance of 45 cm (with a coarse dirt remover) and 20 cm (with a flat-jet nozzle) was not kept. For cleaning and disinfection of the floor covering only the cleaning agents permitted by the manufacturer should be used.

Figure 4: Deformability as a function of bearing pressure
Figure 4: Deformability as a function of bearing pressure
Figure 5: Test samples after acid test
Figure 5: Test samples after acid test

Table 4: Test liquids and results – acid resistance

Test liquidConcentrationResult
after 24 hours
residence time
Result
after 28 days
residence time
Evaluation
Feed acid mixture    
 concentrate, pH 2fleece on the back
little color changing
no changingresistant
Excrement acids    
Uric acidsaturated urea solution (0.4%)no changingsurface with color changelimited resistant
Sulfurous acid5-6 % SO2no changingno changingresistant
Ammonia solution32 % solutionno changingno changingresistant
Disinfection liquid    
Barn Disinfection liquid2 %-solution of a product with
formic acid and glyoxyl acid
no changingno changingresistant
Peracetic acid3000 ppmno changingno changingresistant

Summary

Based on test-stand investigations, the criteria tested in this DLG Approved Test evaluate the comfort and durability properties of the Animattress III for use in the resting area of high cubicles in cubicle houses. The tested cow mattress met the requirements of DIN 3763 and the DLG Testing Framework with respect to the investigated criteria.

Applicant and test implementation

Manufacturer and Applicant

Manufacturer and Applicant
Animat Inc.
395 Rodolphe Racine
CA J1R OS7
Sherbrooke Canada

Contact:
Phone 0060 819 821 2091 222
Telefax 0060 819 821 2879
psavary@animat.ca
www.animat.com

 

Test implementation

Testing agency
DLG TestService GmbH, 
Gross-Umstadt location, Germany

The tests are conducted on behalf of DLG e.V.

DLG test framework

DLG Testing Framework for elastic stable flooring, as of December 2018
DIN 3763:2022-08 (Elastic floorings for cattle and dairy cows walking and rest surfaces – Requirements and testing)

Department
Agriculture

Head of Department
Dr. Michael Eise

Test engineer(s)
Dr. Harald Reubold*

*  Author

Contact us

DLG TestService GmbH - Groß-Umstadt location • Max-Eyth-Weg 1 • 64823 Groß-Umstadt • Tel: +49 69 24 788-600 • tech@DLG.org