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CloversMum Posted - Sep 22 2014 : 9:46:15 PM
So, I have just been offered a Hoegger milking system (model 13AA). It was used for two seasons and then stored inside. Anyone used this brand? Thoughts? Advice?

I realize that it is not the one that MaryJane recommends in her book and I was saving for her recommended machine. However, this Hoegger is for sale at a great price and would be a step in the right direction quicker than I had hoped. My Clover is not giving milk right now; however, this machine could be used on my goats right now! I would need to purchase the cow attachment when Clover started to give milk herself.
16   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
NellieBelle Posted - Sep 25 2014 : 4:31:53 PM
Your one busy lady Charlene. I'm sure it's hard to see the little goat kids leave. But if you know they are going to good homes it's nice. Congratulations on your milk machine. You're going to be ready to go when Clover has her calf. Goats and Clover, and can use the same machine. Glad you found such a good buy.
CloversMum Posted - Sep 25 2014 : 4:13:47 PM
I got the milking machine!!! I am so excited! And I was able to get a great deal on it, too. Now, it will take a little bit of cleaning, oiling, and replacing some gaskets to get it in perfect condition...easy to do. So thankful for this new piece of equipment. I will have to add the cow conversion by the time Clover has her calf next year, but it will be so great to be able to use the same unit for goats and cows.

I have had people from Montana come and purchase my goat kids...so South Dakota is just another state over? haha! Just east of Miles City, MT, as my in laws always joke. They are from Miles City, MT.

My goats really aren't hard to care for...the main thing is to have quality fence. Fencing for cows is definitely simpler and cheaper! But my goats have been easy to care for in everything else. Milking three goats takes me about 20 minutes...they starting to decrease their supply. That does not include filtering, chilling, or washing milk buckets.

Ron Posted - Sep 24 2014 : 10:49:29 AM
Had Shhep for years. They are without a doubt higher maintenance than cows. I assume goats are along the same line with the exception of shearing. That's what did it for me, the shearing part. Anybody need any organic Icelandic wool?
NellieBelle Posted - Sep 24 2014 : 09:43:22 AM
I don't know much about goats as you could read yesterday. So what is the gestation for goats? If breeding this fall and they freshen in spring, around 5-6 months? Too bad Ron doesn't live closer you could get him started with your goats and mentor him along. I hope the milker works out good for you. It's nice to know how to clean up and restore items used before. Sounds wonderful.
CloversMum Posted - Sep 24 2014 : 09:28:32 AM
Janet, I am milking just three goats right now. However, the plan is to breed five does this fall so hopefully, I would be milking five next spring. My littlest doe is too young to be bred this fall so she's just our clown right now...love her to pieces! It doesn't take long to milk out my three does, but I have had carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists so I'm concerned when thinking about milking five goats and Clover next summer. I was going to hold off on a milking system until then; however, this deal rather fell into my lap so I'll pursue it and see what happens.

The Hoegger machine appears to be in decent shape; but, it will need some replacement parts (ie, gaskets replaced, filters replaced) due to its age and time breaks down those rubber pieces. It needs a good cleaning inside and out...being stored several years without yearly oiling/cleaning/etc. Joe Hoegger has a great Youtube video on how to clean the entire machine. But it is decent so I'll see if I can get it for a fair price to all parties involved. :-)
Ron Posted - Sep 23 2014 : 7:28:58 PM
Always a glad to help, but Joe gets the work.
NellieBelle Posted - Sep 23 2014 : 6:18:01 PM
Yes, that's an idea. I will run it by Joe and see if we can come up with something so I won't have to carry the milking machine bag back and forth all winter. The bucket of milk and feed and udder wash water will be a plenty. Thanks!
Ron Posted - Sep 23 2014 : 5:51:20 PM
Kind of mt thoughts here. I do not even have power there. I was going to mount the solar panels I have for the barn there but did not want to put too much time and money into what is/was going to be a temporary situation. Goal is to have a barn with attached milking parlor that is climate controlled with water power etc. long story short hand milk this winter. Small idea you could consider might be to build a small make shift enclosure for the machine handy to the milking area that has an access Dora/panel and heat it with a light bulb or something.
NellieBelle Posted - Sep 23 2014 : 5:28:24 PM
Yes, I was just telling Joe I'm not looking forward to carrying all the stuff to the barn wrapped up with all my coats etc. It's going to be interesting. Thinking about putting a little milk heater up on the wall. Won't be any use if the electricity goes off but that don't happen that frequently in the winter. May warm up the area if I shut the door after the cows come in. I don't know if I could leave the little Ultimate EZ machine down in the barn or if it would be too cold and not work.
Ron Posted - Sep 23 2014 : 4:38:58 PM
At this point I am going to hold off on a machine. It seems like right now heading into winter I can't see lugging equipment through the cold and snow. Lol..
NellieBelle Posted - Sep 23 2014 : 4:13:10 PM
Are you considering a milk machine too? I wish I could hand milk but my arms and wrists just can't go the length of time it requires. :(
Ron Posted - Sep 23 2014 : 2:57:10 PM
Ron<----------- still doing it the hand method. My wrist will not hold up forever.
NellieBelle Posted - Sep 23 2014 : 2:53:31 PM
How many goats do you milk now Charlene? I hope the Hoegger works out for you if you find that's what you would like. I'm still using the Ultimate EZ. It takes a while because I still to one teat at a time, but I don't mind spending the time with Nellie. She is so patient. Hope that holds true with the other one when it comes time.
CloversMum Posted - Sep 23 2014 : 2:01:14 PM
Thank you for the advice. I called Hoegger's this morning and was impressed with their assistance, even when I told them up front that I was considering buying a used milking machine. It looks like I can actually use the milking machine as is to milk Clover. However, I would need to dump the milk pail after two quarters as the milk pail isn't big enough for all of the cows' milk. It looks like I could order the cow conversion unit for $400 which I would do. We watched a youtube video on how to care for the machine so when we look at the used unit this afternoon we can check to see about its yearly maintenance. It seems fairly straight forward. It just might be the ticket, but we will see. I am trying hard not to get my hopes up! But it would be amazing to have a machine that would milk all my goats and Clover, too.
Ron Posted - Sep 23 2014 : 04:04:39 AM
I know several Hoat/Sheep folks who use that system and no complaints. Seems to be lots for sale on the Internet and parts too. Might pop into a few of the goat forums. I have seen a few posts and threads about milk systems on some of them.
maryjane Posted - Sep 23 2014 : 12:19:13 AM
Could be just the ticket, Charlene. Have you looked into how much the conversion to cow kit costs? You might also call Hoegger to experience their customer service before you need it:)

Hoegger might very well be built with some of the same quality parts used for other brands, like NuPulse. I suspect it's a lot like someone who builds computers, they're all buying some of the same parts and then putting them together, essentially different renditions of the same thing.

A woman wrote to me in July asking for help with her Hoegger machine (she was milking a cow). She did make a disparaging remark about their customer service. It would be wise to make sure she wasn't just frustrated in general but in fact their customer service leaves something to be desired. Here's a section of her email to me:

"Thanks so much for the reply. I have to work in town during the week to support my animals but will take a picture and send it when I get home tonight. I bought mine from Hoegger's and it was the only milking machine they had for cows. They make them there out of parts they order in. Their customer service is terrible and it is next to impossible to get help from them. Had I known that before I ordered it I never would've purchased from them. I didn't know anything about milking machines when I bought it ... probably not a good thing."