Feed pusher renewed
Lely Astronaut A5: cheaper and simpler
During the Future Farm Days, robot pioneer Lely is launching the latest version of their Astronaut milking robot: the A5. It also shows a new version of the Juno feed slide. The A5 milking robot combines lower costs with greater ease of use, the manufacturer promises.
Technically, a new hybrid arm has been introduced; it is quieter, faster, more energy efficient and more accurate. In practice, this means that the arm can correct more quickly in the event of unexpected movements. A new udder detection system (TDS) should speed up the connection of the teat cups. After milking, the teats are scanned so that the udder care product is applied more accurately. This also makes a difference in the amount of medicine.
Lower costs
By reducing costs such as cleaning agents, water and electricity by about 20%, the costs have been reduced, according to Lely. This benefits the Return on Investment (ROI). The maintenance costs of the A5 should also be lower. To test him, 2 million milkings, among 30 customers all over the world, have been carried out.
20
procent
The new user interface should make operation easier. All relevant information can now be found on 1 screen. Whether it concerns the first milking or daily maintenance; important tasks can be called up with 1 click. Those who already milk with an A4 can use the new robot next to the old one.
According to CEO Alexander van de Lely, robotic milking has never been so easy and comfortable, for both the farmer and the cow. It is immediately available for the entire world market.
feed pusher
Lely also shows their improved Juno feed pusher; it has been on the market for 10 years now. Sliding robots have already proven their added value, according to the manufacturer. It leads to a higher feed intake (+2,8%), according to it. In addition, it reduces the amount of residual feed and the cows are more likely to visit the milking robot.
What's new is that the Juno lifts its skirt to prevent wear. In this way, it can also easily pass small obstacles and take slopes. The skirt is no longer polluted by mud and manure when it is lifted, which improves the feed quality. The skirt is raised in 2 halves for the left and right push position.
Bluetooth connection
With the addition of a bluetooth connection, Lely makes the Juno slightly smarter. You can not only operate it with your smartphone, but the robot can also open doors itself. To do this, the door must be electrically operated and equipped with a bluetooth module. You can adjust the route and steer the robot via the Lely Control Plus app. The Juno automatically adjusts the distance to the feed fence based on the amount of feed.
The latest Juno has a safety bumper as an emergency stop and the electric bumper protection is optional. This prevents cows from stopping the machine by touching the bumper, but is not harmful to people or animals. It will be available from September 2018.
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The renewed Juno can lift its skirt in 2 parts to avoid contamination.
recycle manure
Lely launches their 2 novelties at a special festival location, next to the head office in Maassluis (South Holland). Here it shows their vision for the dairy farm of the future. Here all manure flows are recycled and decisions are made based on data with the help of supporting software.
Lely sees the impact of manure on the company as one of the most important points at the moment. Recycling manure makes it more usable, controllable and can replace fertilizer. New business management software should help with this.
Niels van der Boom
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