Dairy separators education and training is important to run your business safely and effectively. Expensive cream separators and dairy separators can have intricate instructions on proper usage. Not only is it a safety hazard if someone utilizes them improperly, it can also cause expensive repairs and replacements. Learn how to use your milk cream separator to receive efficient and safe production.

The definitive goal in your business enterprise is to make a good profit, and your training and education can increase your ability to make the most profit possible. Plan to use various outlets for your training and education, such as vendors who sell a milk cream separator or used dairy separator equipment. Here are a few tips to get your started.

1. Utilize the experience of a vendor who offers a milk separator for sale.

2. Gain knowledge on the various types of milk separators available and their proper use.

3. Utilize training guides and materials about new and used dairy separators.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Trust in a representative who specializes in an electric milk separator

There are many types of milk separators you can use, such as a small milk separator, goat milk separator and antique milk separator. Choose a vendor that specializes in a variety of dairy separators so that you can gain knowledge about the variety of styles and types.

I recommend: CentriMax has a great area that shows how each type of dairy separator works and what items it can create. Separators supplies on-site training and information for your equipment.

Learn about the different types of separator for milk equipment available

Consider using the wide variety of information that comes with manual cream separators as part of your training and education. Each piece of equipment can have different specifications and instructions, and you can utilize that data to ensure the efficiency and safe operation of your equipment.

I recommend: Allivet shows specific uses of its cream separators and the specifications of the product. Bnet offers a guide on refinements that also specifies separation temperatures.

Use the information that dairy separators manuals and guides have to offer

New and used dairy separators may have a variety of usage instructions. Find out the differences, if any, and learn the training needed on your particular brand or model. You should always feel at ease with your equipment instructions so that you can train your employees how to use your equipment successfully and safely.

I recommend: Novo has a handy guide to how their cream separators work and even what type of voltage it requires. Westfalia offers training manuals and brochures on its equipment with handy how-to-use information.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be certain that your employees are well trained on your milk cream separator equipment.

There are dozens of web sites with listings for a milk cream separator. Browse through the sites for a dairy separator and request quotes for what your business requires. Many of the sites allow you to shop directly with the seller or get a company quote within hours. You can buy, sell, auction or get appraisals now online for a milk cream separator.

Make sure you know what your business needs before requesting a quote. Before choosing milk separators, consider the following questions:

1. What kind of machine requirements, such as size and capacity, does your business require?

2. Do you need to buy new or used dairy separators? Do you have enough time to buy the equipment from an auction?

3. How much is in your business budget for a milk cream separator?

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Know the regulations for milk and cream separators

Before selecting a dairy separator machine, make sure you know the latest milk laws or regulations impacting your product. Not only do you need to consider Federal regulations, but you will also need to find out your state rules on milk production from state health organizations.

I recommend: IDFA has the latest regulations and news for the dairy industry. The FDA has the latest news and regulations on food safety and nutrition. USDA has milk marketing information and standards for the dairy industry.

Find a dairy separator machine that is suitable for your business

Do you need a manual or electric machine? Are you looking for one for small or large farm production? What size of machinery will work for your business? These are the types of questions you need to ask when getting a quote or information from a dairy separator distributor?

I recommend: Russell Finex has a machine suitability search to help you narrow down the machinery your business requires for a dairy separator. Genemco Inc., has listings of dairy separators. AgriSeek.com allows you to buy from a milk separator directly. Hutchison Hayes Separation LLC allows you to request information for their milk separation machinery. DEP Agro Machineries has both manual and electric milk separators.

Buy used machinery for milk or cream separators

Machinery need not break your business budget, you can buy it used or even on the auction block. Take time to find the best deal. Scan several sites for the best price on used machinery.

I recommend: CentriMax has used dairy separator equipment, plus they will buy yours back. Industrial Asset Recyclers lets you sell, buy or auction industrial machinery. Try out TractorHouse.com for used farm equipment and auctions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask about the type of sealing on the used dairy separators to make sure it's the most efficient type now on the market. An efficient machine should not require water for sealing.

Dairy separators, or milk separators as they are sometimes called, perform the process of separating the cream out of the raw milk. From this point, a number of processes occur, including pasteurization and homogenization, to produce the dairy products such as milk, cream, cheese and yogurt that we consume.

Because the process is somewhat complicated, it's wise to familiarize yourself with some of the key terms associated with the dairy separation process. Here are some commonly used words.

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Milk separation

Usually performed during the process of pasteurization in some form of centrifuge machine, the process of milk separation occurs when milk fat is separated from the milk, resulting in both cream and skim milk.

I recommend: Milk Industry has interesting information on the separation process. It also has a diagram. Look under "Separators."

Centrifugation

Centrifugation is the process of using a centrifuge machine that uses an immense amount of force to separate milk, according to the different proprietary densities. By simulating gravitational effects, cream is separated from the milk.

I recommend: The Dairy and Science Technology Department of the University of Guelph gives a comprehensive description of centrifugation.

Butteroil

After removing all moisture and nonfat solids from butter or cream, butteroil is created. It is a rich form of milk fat among dairy products found in the Western world. Butteroil contains significant amounts of vitamins A, D, E and K.

I recommend: Learn more about butteroil at Dairyforall.com.

Bactofugation

The process of centrifugal removal of bacteria from milk is called bactofugation. Bacteria and bacteria spores are reduced by 86 percent to 92 percent during this process.

I recommend: Dairy Industries has more information on bactofugation.

Homogenization

Homogenization is the process of breaking up fat once it has been separated into much smaller molecules so that it can be redistributed throughout the milk.

I recommend: GEA Filtration has a glossary that provides additional information on homogenization.

Pasteurization

Pasteurization is the process of killing a large number of the harmful bacteria found in milk by heating it to 161 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of at least 15 seconds.

I recommend: The Indiana Dairy Council has an FAQ section with helpful information.

Dairy separators used to operate strictly by gravity, with the lighter cream rising to the top of the container. Mechanical, or even manual, cream separators now use centrifugal force, which spins the liquid to force the cream and milk into separate containers. In order to make sure your equipment runs properly, you need to understand dairy separators installation and maintenance practices.

You can keep your business running smoothly with proper dairy separator installation and maintenance. To accomplish this, you should consider the following options:

1. Look into installation agreements from the manufacturer of new dairy separator equipment or suppliers of used dairy separator equipment.

2. Learn proper cleaning and maintenance techniques for your milk cream separator to make sure it produces the highest grade dairy products possible.

3. Find replacement parts for your electric milk separator or manual cream separators to ensure that you can keep your machine in good working order.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Ensure your dairy separator supplier offers installation of your equipment

When buying milk separators, it's helpful to work with a manufacturer or supplier that offers installation of the equipment, as well as troubleshooting or parts maintenance. There aren't many US manufacturers for much of this type of equipment, so if buying from a foreign supplier or manufacturer, make sure to ask whether the supplier includes installation in the price.

I recommend: R. Mueller Service and Equipment Company provides installation of both the new and reconditioned Westfalia dairy separators it sells, as well as troubleshooting services. Jainsons is a manufacturer of dairy separators and other dairy production equipment that will assist with installation of your machine and will even custom manufacture it for you based on your business needs.

Understand how to properly clean and maintain your separator for milk

An important part of maintaining your milk cream separator is ensuring that you properly clean, lube and balance it. Regardless of how old or new your equipment is, you can often refer to basic 'old standard' instructions for making sure your cream separator always produces top-grade dairy products.

I recommend: The American Dairy Science Association offers a wide range of reports on various cleaning techniques for milk separators both old and new style, some dating back to 1939. Regardless of their age, the reports provide basic, conventional cleaning methods that still pertain to today's models. The International Livestock Research Institute provides a thorough explanation of milk processing and milk separator maintenance, including keeping the gears lubricated and the bowl balanced.

Find suppliers for maintenance parts for your milk cream separator

Finding replacement parts for performing maintenance on used dairy separators, especially if yours is an antique milk separator, can be challenging. If you can't find specific part for your equipment, you can locate equipment and individual parts through buy-and-sell online forums.

I recommend: Both new and used centrifuges are available from Mars Tech, which also carries service and overhaul kits, seals, gaskets, gears, nylon rings and paring discs. ForFarmers.com provides a forum for individuals to buy and sell used dairy separator equipment or whole units.