Brouwers lying box mattress Polysoft 3507 Pro

Transcription

1 Brouwers Equipment Brouwers lying box mattress Polysoft 3507 Pro DLG Test Report 5400 Short description Manufacturer and registering company Brouwers Equipment PO Box 203 NL-8901 BA Leeuwarden Telephone: 0031 (0) Telefax: 0031 (0) Animal house floor cover with a dark green cover mat out of PVC in the form of rolls; Cover mat 5 mm thick, upper side with a diamond pattern profiled; white, structured under side Underneath layer out of foamed PU plates with protective film, thickness: approx. 40 mm, dimensions: 175 cm x 100 cm DLG e.v. Test Center Technology and Farm Inputs Figure 2: Installation of the mat (Specifications: see page 5) DLG Test Report 5400 / page 1 of 6

2 Evaluation short version Testcriterion Test result Evaluation suitable as an elastic floor cover in the resting area of high cubicles in cubicle houses Technical criteria Resistance to wear, durability, and ageing (test stand trials) Abrasion test Good resistance to wear + Exposure to continuous tread load Cover height decreased by 6 mm (13%) + Surface little wear Under side little wear Acid test no alterations to the cover + Stability in dimension No noticeable change in length or width + Deformation none + + Handling, installation Installation by the owner time-consuming Installation directions detailed and understandable + Cleaning and disinfection Self-cleaning good + Daily cleaning does not cause any difficulties + High-pressure cleaner Minimum distance 20 cm with a flat-jet nozzle Minimum distance 40 cm with a coarse dirt nozzle Efficient thorough cleaning and disinfection Upper side: easy + Under side: time-consuming Warranty, recycling Cover Foamed material Animal-related criteria Behavioural observations Choice behaviour of the animals Joint examination 5 years 5 years according to the pro-rated system no recycling concept No deviations from specific behaviour were observed + The floor cover is very well accepted by the animals % without any pathological result + Slip resistance Slip resistance during sliding tests on the dry and wet cover: good + Footing of the animals On the test farms: good + Deformability and elasticity In new condition 24.6 mm, very good + + After exposure to continuous tread load 24.8 mm, very good + + Toxicological safety Certified by the manufacturer Evaluation range: ++ / + / / / ( = standard) DLG Test Report 5400 / page 2 of 6

3 Test results I. SUITABILITY The Brouwers lying box mattress Polysoft 3507 is suitable as an elastic floor cover in the lying area of high boxes in lying box houses. Since the mattress consists of rolls, installation is only possible if the partitions of the lying boxes are self-supporting. Problem-free use requires proper construction of the concrete foundation with a continuous inclination of at least 3% (better 4%). In order to facilitate cleaning and to bind moisture, littering in small quantities is recommended. II. TECHNICAL CRITERIA Resistance to wear, durability and ageing In a standardized abrasion test, during which the cover was rubbed with emery cloth (grit size: 280) at a pressure of 500 N (= 8.1 N/cm² area pressure), abrasion depth after 100 double strokes was 0.4 mm, which corresponds to approx. 8 % of the cover height. Of the rubbed surface (61.5 cm²), 2.2 g were abraded. Small abrasion depth and little abrasion therefore allow the conclusion to be drawn that the abrasion resistance of the floor cover is good. After exposure to a continuous tread load exerted by a steel foot (contact area 75 cm²) on a test stand, no noticeable wear or damage to the cover were determined after 1000 alternating loads of 100 N (corresponding to approx. 1,000 kg). The PU foam plates were compressed, and a lasting deformation of approximately 6 mm was measured. Given an initial height of approx. 45 mm, this means that the height of the cover decreased by approximately 13%. Up to 30% are defined as standard. An acid test with lactic acid according to DIN did not show any damage to the cover, such as signs of swelling, softening, or destruction. Dimensional stability After proper installation, noticeable length or width alteration did not occur in practical use during the test period. Deformation (trough or groove formation) was not observed. Handling, installation The instructions of installation are detailed and easily understandable. Installation requires at least three persons with craft skills. Especially the stretching and fixing of the cover is time-consuming. For this reason, installation by the vendor company is recommended. Before the installation of the cover, the foamed material plates are enclosed in protective film. Cleaning and disinfection The self-cleaning effect is good, and the daily cleaning of the surface does not cause any difficulties. Small quantities of litter make it easier to keep the lying box and the animals clean and dry. The impermeable surface allows for easy, efficient disinfection and thorough cleaning (e.g. with a high-pressure cleaner). When cleaning the cover, one should presoak the dirt. During test stand trials with a high-pressure cleaner (capacity: 1,000 l/h, approximately 145 bar, duration of exposure: 1 minute), damage to the cover only occurred when the distance dropped below a minimum of 40 cm (coarse dirt nozzle) or 20 cm (flat-jet nozzle). Moisture may collect under the floor cover. This is unavoidable. The foamed material plates are protected against moisture by the protective film. Cleaning is very timeconsuming (complete removal and reinstallation) because the floor cover is bolted all around. When cleaning and disinfecting the cover, one should only use the agents approved by the manufacturer for this purpose. Warranty and recycling According to the warranty conditions, the manufacturer grants warranty for 5 years for the cover and a 5-year warranty for the foamed PU material according to the pro-rated system. A recycling concept of the manufacturer for the future reutilization of the floor cover does not exist. III. ANIMAL-RELATED CRITERIA Behavioural observations During the one-year practical test period, behavioural observations in the form of video and direct observations were carried out. The direct observation of 20 getting-up processes each on two farms did not show any deviations from the normal motion sequence. In addition, no deviations from specific behavioural patterns (e.g. typical motion sequences during getting up and lying down, lying positions) were determined which would have to be attributed to the floor cover. Choice behaviour of the animals A choice trial was carried out in a lying box stall (number of boxes: 6, occupation: 3 animals; acclimatization period: at least 2 weeks, admission period: 7 days). As a reference cover, a solid rubber mat (thickness: 18 mm, upper side: hammer-blow profile, under side: groove profile) was used. The video observations showed that the floor cover is accepted very well. DLG Test Report 5400 / page 3 of 6

4 Occupation of the lying boxes in hours (h) 24,0 22,0 2 18,0 16,0 14,0 12,0 1 8,0 6,0 4,0 2,0 11,8 Brouwers cow mattress Polysoft The average standing and lying times on the cover are in the normal range at 13.7 hours per day. Lying behaviour does not show any deviations from normal behaviour. Interrupted lying-down processes were not observed. The evaluation of the video observations showed that the animals spent an average of 14.8 hours out of 24 standing and lying in the lying boxes. Of these, the animals spent 13.7 hours in the boxes equipped Lying (h) Standing (h) 1,9 1,1 Reference cover Figure 3: Result of the choice trial Choice trial with 3 cows and 6 lying boxes (11th June until 17th June 2004) Of these: 3 lying boxes with the cover to be tested (test cover) 3 lying boxes with a reference cover (solid rubber mat) carpus front ankle knee tarsus rear ankle Figure 4: The marked areas were examined. with the Brouwers lying box mattress Polysoft 3507 Pro and only 1.1 hours in the reference boxes with the solid rubber mat. In addition, the average duration of a lying phase was longer on the Brouwers lying box mattress Polysoft 3507 Pro than on the reference cover. Joint examination On the three farms where only the tested cover was installed, a total of 105 cows were examined for outwardly visible damage in the joint area (joint examination) as of the second third of lactation. Evaluation considered the left and right half of the body and focused on the 10 spots exposed during lying (cf. figure 4). The joints were examined at the end of the winter feeding period. This examination was always carried out by the same person. The results were evaluated according to the following system (cf. table 1). The percentage-wise distribution of the results found among the 105 animals examined is shown in the following diagram (figure 5). 88.1% of the examined spots did not show any pathological result. Major alterations, such as increased circumference in the bursa area (open) and lameness, were not observed. Minor alterations, such as hairless spots, were registered at 10.9% of the examined spots. At 1.0% of the examined spots, moderate alterations, such as skin lesions and increased circumference in the bursa area (covered) at the joints, were found. The determined pathological results are mainly concentrated in the tarsus and the knee. Only in isolated cases were pathological results found at the ankles or the carpus. Slip resistance Sliding-pulling tests with a round plastic foot (contact area: 75 cm²) at a speed of the plastic foot of 20 mm/s showed good slip resistance on a dry and wet, non-littered cover. The measured friction coefficients (µ) were above the minimum of µ = On two test farms, 20 getting-up processes were examined by means of direct observation. These observations also showed secure footing of the animals. Slipping animals were not observed. Table 1: Evaluation system Result Without any pathological result Hairless spots < 2 cm Hairless spots > 2 cm Skin lesions < 2 cm Skin lesions > 2 cm Increased circumference in the bursa area, covered Increased circumference in the bursa area, open Joint affection Evaluation No alterations Minor alterations Minor alterations Moderate alterations Moderate alterations Moderate alterations Major alterations Major alterations DLG Test Report 5400 / page 4 of 6

5 Deformability and elasticity During impression tests in new condition with a cap (r = 120 mm) at a penetration force of 2,000 N (corresponding to approx. 200 kg), penetration depth was 24.6 mm. Due to the area pressure of 10.8 N/ cm² calculated on the basis of these values, one can expect very low loads on the carpal joints during lying down and getting up. Elasticity was measured after ex posure to a continuous tread load exerted by a steel foot (contact area: 75 cm²) in the form of 1000 alternating loads of 100 N. After the endurance test, the penetration depth of the cap increased from 24.6 mm to 24.8 mm. Area pressure decreased from 10.8 N/ cm² to 10.7 N/cm² (cf. figure 6). This means that deformability and elasticity increase slightly. Toxicological safety The manufacturer certified the toxicological safety of the floor cover. IV. SURVEY RESULT A survey among 15 farms which have used the animal house cover for up to two years confirmed the test results. On the farms, a total of 1,061 lying boxes were equipped with this floor cover. On 70 % of the farms, the cover was installed by the owner. 67 % of those questioned stated that installation was easy and practical. On all farms, the animals accepted the lying box well. 64.3% of those questioned gave the floor cover a good or very good overall evaluation, and 100% would purchase it again if required. percent (%) pressure (N/cm 2 ) 2 18,0 16,0 14,0 12,0 1 8,0 6,0 4,0 2,0 10,9 Minor alterations Moderate alterations before 18 after ,0 Figure 5: Percentage-wise distribution of the determined results penetration depth (mm) Figure 6: Deformability, penetration depth of the cap (r = 120 mm) depending on the area pressure Warranty Cover: 5 years Foamed PU material: 5 years according to the pro-rated system Major alterations Description and technical data (measured values) Available dimensions Cover, width: 200 cm Cover, length: Rolls up to 800 m in length are available. Main dimensions and weight Cover Foamed PU plates Thickness approx. 5 mm approx. 40 mm Weight approx. 2,3 kg/m 2 approx. 2,3 kg/m 2 DLG Test Report 5400 / page 5 of 6

6 Testing The DLG SignumTest is based on technical measurements on DLG test stands, practical tests, behavioural observations, joint examinations, and a survey among farms. On the test stands, deformability and material hardness were measured by means of a ball impression test. The permanence of elasticity was determined with the aid of alternating loads. Abrasion resistance was measured in an abrasion test with emery cloth, while slip resistance was established in sliding-pulling tests. The resistance of the surface against lactic acid was examined according to DIN The choice behaviour of the animals was recorded in a lying box house of the Agricultural Centre Haus Düsse with the aid of a video system. Realization of the tests DLG e.v. Test Center Technology and Farm Inputs, Max-Eyth-Weg 1, D Groß-Umstadt Agricultural Centre Haus Düsse D Bad Sassendorf Practical testing Agricultural Centre Haus Düsse D Bad Sassendorf Schäfer-Wolf GbR, Höchst Reporting engineer Dr. Harald Reubold, Groß-Umstadt DLG test panel Dr. agr. Steffen Pache, Köllitsch Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Pelzer, Bad Sassendorf Reiner Schmidt, Ronneburg Dipl.-Ing. agr. Klaus-Werner Wolf, Höchst Dr. med. vet./dipl.-ing. agr. Univ. Wilfried Wolter, Giessen DLG committee for animal welfare Frau Dr. sc. agr. Christiane Müller, Trenthorst Published with the support of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection ENTAM European Network for Testing of Agricultural Machines, was created from the merger of European testing sites. ENTAM s objective is the Europe-wide distribution of test results for farmers, agricultural equipment dealers, and producers. More information about the Network is available at or by writing. Address: info@entam.com January 2009 DLG DLG e.v. Test Center Technology and Farm Inputs Max-Eyth-Weg 1, D Groß-Umstadt, Telephone , Fax: , Tech@DLG.org, Internet: Download of all DLG test reports at: DLG Test Report 5400 / page 6 of 6