Story: Dairying and dairy products

Alfa Laval cream separator

Alfa Laval cream separator

The Alfa Laval separator was the most widely used in New Zealand in the early 20th century. A stack of conical discs was rotated at high speed when the handle was turned. Milk fed in at the top was spun around, and the cream poured out the upper spout into a can. The residual skim milk came out a lower spout and was used to feed pigs or calves. Once milking became mechanised, the handle was replaced by a belt-driven pulley connected to a motor.

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Photograph by Ross Ferguson

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How to cite this page:

Hugh Stringleman and Frank Scrimgeour, 'Dairying and dairy products - Separators and milking machines', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/15694/alfa-laval-cream-separator (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Hugh Stringleman and Frank Scrimgeour, published 24 Nov 2008