Milking cluster hose positioner

A milk hose positioner for a milking cluster for a dairy animal having an udder and a plurality of teats, and milked in a parlor having a milking platform for supporting the animal, a pit for supporting a milking attendant, and a curb between said milking platform and said pit, the animal having a milking position on said platform with its head facing forwardly away from said pit, and its rump facing rearwardly toward said pit, such that the attendant has access to said teats, said cluster comprising a claw having a plurality of inlets, and an outlet, said milking cluster having a milking position with said claw beneath said udder, a plurality of teatcups, each connected to a respective teat, a plurality of milk tubes, each connecting a respective claw inlet to a respective teatcup, an air fork having a plurality of outlets, and one or more inlets, a plurality of air tubes, each connecting a respective air fork outlet to a respective teatcup, one or more vacuum pulsation lines connected to said one or more air fork inlets, and a milk hose connected to said claw outlet and extending over said curb, said positioner comprising a bracket bearing against said curb and supporting said milk hose and applying in combination with said milk hose a forward force to said claw to better balance weight distribution on said teats, said milk hose positioner being attached to said milk hose and staying on said milk hose when said teatcups are removed from said teats and said milking cluster is moved from said milking position, said milk hose positioner comprising a bracket slidable along said milk hose when said bracket is removed from said curb, and wherein said milk hose remains stationary on said bracket when unattended and said milking cluster is in said milking position.

A milk hose positioner for a milking cluster for a dairy animal having an udder and a plurality of teats, and milked in a parlor having a milking platform for supporting the animal, a pit for supporting a milking attendant, and a curb between said milking platform and said pit, the animal having a milking position on said platform with its head facing forwardly away from said pit, and its rump facing rearwardly toward said pit, such that the attendant has access to said teats, said cluster comprising a claw having a plurality of inlets, and an outlet, said milking cluster having a milking position with said claw beneath said udder, a plurality of teatcups, each connected to a respective teat, a plurality of milk tubes, each connecting a respective claw inlet to a respective teatcup, an air fork having a plurality of outlets, and one or more inlets, a plurality of air tubes, each connecting a respective air fork outlet to a respective teatcup, one or more vacuum pulsation lines connected to said one or more air fork inlets, and a milk hose connected to said claw outlet and extending over said curb, said curb having a front surface facing said milking platform, and a rear surface facing said pit, said milk hose positioner comprising a bracket loosely received on said curb and supporting said milk hose, said bracket extending along said front surface of said curb and having rearwardly extending side ears engaging said curb to support said bracket therefrom, said side ears permitting left and right lateral movement of said bracket along said curb in response to left and right lateral movement of the animal and forward movement of said bracket away from said curb in response to forward movement of the animal, and wherein said curb prevents rearward movement of said bracket, said bracket applying in combination with said milk hose a forward force to said claw to better balance weight distribution on said teats.