The exhaust from the pump should be piped to the outside of the building through a pipe whose diameter is at least as great as that of the pump's discharge port. Since oil is present in most exhausts, the exhaust should be directed downward and away from the side of the building, which prevents rain water from entering the pump, and also prevents accumulation of oil and dirt on the side of the building. 18 Servicing the pump should be performed as directed in the service manual. Maintaining the oil level in the sump or supply cup and checking the belt for proper alignment and tension are the two most important maintenance procedures, and should be done every two weeks. Recommended annual or semi-annual service checks will vary with the pump and the manufacturer's specifications.
Servodiaphram regulators are the most effective, while weighted level types are the least desirable.
Adequate pipeline slope and size are essential to prevent flooding of the system. Flooding causes erratic vacuum changes in the system, which may result in increased udder irritation and a possible increase in the incidence of new infections. The size of sanitary milk pipe is shown in Table 3. These sizes apply to conditions where the animal is milked directly into the milk pipeline. Pipes for weigh jar systems operated primarily as milk transfer and wash lines must be of adequate size for washing.