ISO Milking Machine Testing
Courses › ISO Milking Machine Testing
Course Overview
Who is this course for?
Anyone involved in testing machines for function, milking machine dealer staff, sales reps, OEMs, local agents, fitters and testers, veterinarians and industry advisors.
What will you learn?
This course gives you the foundational skills and knowledge to carry out a Milking Machine Test to ISO standards. New Zealand's role as a major dairy exporter means close alignment with International Standards Organisation requirements, and this course is built around exactly that.
Over five days of in-person workshops, supported by online pre-course modules, you'll develop a thorough understanding of how milking machines should be installed and operated, how to test a machine for function, and how to make recommendations on faults found. The course covers the full testing methodology, with practical exercises, videos, demonstration models, and hands-on practice throughout.
At a Glance
Duration: 5 days plus online pre-course modules
Delivery: In-person
Location: Palmerston North
Member rate: $3,400 + GST
Non-member rate: $3,850 + GST
Delivered by: Quality Consultants NZ Ltd (QCONZ)
Upcoming Dates
12-16 October 2026 - Palmerston North
30 November - 4 December - Palmerston North
Course times: commences 10.00am Monday, finishes approx. 4.00pm Friday. Daily attendance 8.00am to 5.00pm.
Accommodation can be arranged at a nearby motel for approx. $145/night, paid directly to the accommodation provider.
What You'll Cover
This course covers 16 modules, each with practice exercises and skill assessments. Expand each module below to see what's covered.
Making and breaking physical connections in a milking machine
The various unions, connections, and clamps holding a milking machine together, all of which students must be capable of disconnecting and reconnecting.
Identification of milking machine parts by their general name and function
The components that make up a milking machine are described to help students learn to recognise them and know their function.
Placing parts of a milking machine In correct position relative to one another
The various configurations of milking machines (for rotary, herringbone, and walk-through sheds) are shown. Students must be capable of placing all the pipelines and components appropriately on to a layout diagram.
Identification of milking machine parts by manufacturer, retailer, brand name, and model
Photograph albums contain colour photographs of most of the milking machine components which students must be able to recognise.
Safety
The safety rules for working with milking machinery. Students must recall all the rules when memory-jogging titles are given.
Disconnection and re-connection of the milking machine for a test
This module covers the series of disconnections (and re-connections) that accompany the air-flow tests. The student must be capable of correctly making all these disconnections and reconnections.
Visual faults
The various milking machine faults which can be seen, felt, or heard without meters are discussed. The student must correctly identify 10 major visual faults in a test milking machine.
Dismantle, clean, reassemble, and adjust regulators
Details are given on how to dismantle, clean, reassemble and adjust all types of regulator on the New Zealand market. The student must correctly clean three regulators, indicate missing parts, and show how to adjust the regulators. The student must also demonstrate an understanding of vacuum regulation characteristics.
Assembling and starting a milking machine prior to the test
The likely disconnections and safety hazards that would prevent the milking machine from being started safely. The student must safely start a milking machine.
Use test instruments
Operation and practical use of the air-flow meters, vacuum recorders, vacuum gauges and revolution counters. Students must correctly use all these test instruments under specific conditions. Demonstrate how to perform additional tests not necessarily required in an ISO test.
Follow the flow chart
The milking machine testing system has been written down as a flow chart with detailed notes. Students must correctly follow the flow chart.
Testing a milking machine
This module covers the test itself. Students must be able to carry out a full test on any type of milking machine.
Introduction to the basic mechanics of the milking machine
The concepts of vacuum and air flows as they affect milking machine operation. The student must correctly interpret what will happen in given situations.
Understand pulsation and calculating the pulsation test results
The analysis of pulsation graphs. The student must correctly analyse a graph. The student must know how to identify faulty pulsation and the standards used to assess it. The student must correctly identify a faulty pulsation system and locate the area of the fault.
Fill in the milking machine test report and note the interactions between test readings and visual faults and how to fill in the related test Report Forms
The student must correctly fill in two test reports determining the standards used in milking machine testing - the standards used are covered in detail. The student must look up and record correctly the standards for two hypothetical milking machine tests. The student must also calculate the statistics of a milking machine. These calculations are necessary to understand the results of a test. The student must correctly carry out the calculations for two hypothetical milking machine tests.
Recommendations on the milking machine test
This module covers the recommendations and includes a flow chart to ensure all considerations are included. The student must correctly make recommendations on two hypothetical milking machine tests.
Prerequisites
A suite of online modules are required to be completed before attending the course, plus a pre-course assessment related to the content of the online modules. These modules, which involve approximately 10-12 hours of study, MUST be completed within one week of the course commencement. Failure to complete the pre-course modules may result in enrolment being cancelled.
Course Content
Participants will learn: visual examination of plant, using an airflow meter to carry out static testing of vacuum levels and component air use and leakage, using a pulsator recorder to test pulsation, measuring vacuum pump performance, vacuum regulation and milk pump performance, completing test reports and more.
On completion of the course participants wishing to become registered as a Milking Machine Tester must accurately test six milking machines in the field and have tests marked, and accepted by an independent, industry recognised marker. Test reports should be emailed to info@milkingpumping.co.nz or posted to MPNZ,, P O Box 10514, Te Rapa, Hamilton 3241.
A electronic version of the Milking Machine Testing Manual and the NZ Milking Machine Testing Standards Manual are issued to the participants to keep for future reference.
On Completion
Participants who successfully complete this course, including all the pre-course online modules and the post-course Student Workbook will receive a NZQA Micro-Credential Certificate in ISO Milking Machine Testing.
Participants who successfully complete this course, PLUS our Farm Dairy Systems Management course will also be awarded the MPNZ Dairy Diagnostics Specialist Endorsement.
Practising Certificate
On completion of all course requirements a MPNZ Registered ISO Milking Machine Tester Practising Certificate will be issued (additional charge $150-00 + gst).
The Practicing Certificate will expire after two years and will be re-issued upon submitting six correct Test Reports to the MPNZ for independent marking.
Registered Testers found guilty of malpractice may have their Practicing Certificate withdrawn.
Technical Basis
The course is based on ISO Standards 3918, 6690 and 5707. Some modifications to these have been necessary because milking pipeline systems rather than recorder jar systems are the norm in Australasia. The principal variations from the ISO standards are:
Testing system spelled out in detail and practical considerations included, e.g. ‘permissible air leaks’.
Standards for installation included only where integral to milking machine function. (These standards are set and amended by a technical committee made up of representatives from the MPNZ, QCONZ and the various research organisations.)
Specifically the course has been built around all the New Zealand milking machine manufacturers.
Register for this Course
Fill in all required fields and we'll confirm your registration within 7 days. All course fees must be paid prior to attendance.
Member rate: $3,400 + GST / Non-member rate: $3,850 + GST
Not sure if this course is right for you? Contact us and we'll help you work it out.