Assessing frictional properties of rubber floors in free housing systems for dairy cows
2013
Penev, T., Thrakia University, Stara Zagora (Bulgaria) | Miteva, Ch., Thrakia University, Stara Zagora (Bulgaria) | Dimova, V., Thrakia University, Stara Zagora (Bulgaria) | Roydev, R., Thrakia University, Stara Zagora (Bulgaria) | Mitev, J., Thrakia University, Stara Zagora (Bulgaria) | Manolov, Z., Thrakia University, Stara Zagora (Bulgaria)
The investigation was conducted in a dairy cow free-stall barn. The resting area of was in individual cubicles, and walking alleys were covered with two types of rubber mats – with and without abrasion lining. An electric scraper system was used for manure cleaning, and cows were received a total mix ration ad libitum. The coefficients of static and dynamic friction of both rubber mat types when dry, wet or covered with manure were compared. It was established that static and dynamic coefficients of friction of dry rubber mats without abrasion lining were very good. Wetting reduced the frictional properties of this type of flooring. The measured static and dynamic coefficients of friction - μ = 0.44 and μ = 0.41 respectively, indicated a good contact between the non-abrasive rubber mat and hooves and no significant risk from slipping. The manure spilled on this flooring type compromised considerably the cohesion between hooves and rubber mat, and the measured static and dynamic coefficient of friction - μ = 0.4 indicated poor cohesion, and risk from slipping and falling of cows. The dry rubber mat with abrasive lining exhibited very high static μ = 0.59 and dynamic μ = 0.56 coefficients of friction. Wetting of these rubber mats resulted in slightly higher static friction μ = 0.61, and lower dynamic friction μ = 0.52. The presence of manure mass on the abrasive flooring reduced substantially P0.05 static μ
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