PLC Lifting Fences
PLC Lifting Fences
Smart Automated Cow Routing for Robotic Milking Systems
The Royal de Boer PLC Lifting Fences system is designed to improve cow flow, automate waiting area management, and reduce labour around robotic milking installations. Using photocell sensors and a programmable logic controller (PLC), the system automatically opens lifting fences once a preset number of cows has passed or after a configurable time delay.
The result is a smoother, more controlled routing process that helps improve efficiency around the milking robot while supporting animal welfare and reducing manual intervention.
Function PLC
The PLC control system only automates the closing of one or more ElevateGates.
The farmer drives a number of cows into a waiting area in front of the milking robots and closes off this area by closing one or more ElevateGates. The farmer then opens the enclosure in which the PLC is located and enters the number of cows present in the waiting area. The farmer also inputs the maximum time the ElevateGates are allowed to remain closed.
The PLC then receives signals from one or more milking robots and/or from one or more photocells for each cow that leaves a milking robot or passes a photocell after being milked. Once the set number is reached, the PLC opens all ElevateGates simultaneously.
The ElevateGates are also opened when the set time has elapsed before the required number of cows has been reached. This prevents the milking robots from remaining inaccessible to the rest of the herd for too long.
SALES VALUE & CUSTOMER BENEFITS
Improved Milking Robot Efficiency
Automatically managing cow flow reduces congestion and improves throughput around robotic milking systems.
Reduced Labour Requirement
The PLC automates fence operation, reducing the need for manual cattle handling and saving time during daily routines.
Better Cow Traffic Management
The system creates a controlled waiting area, helping maintain calm and consistent cow movement.
Enhanced Animal Welfare
Integrated timer functionality prevents cows from remaining enclosed for too long if delays occur during milking.
Flexible for Different Barn Layouts
Adjustable settings allow farms to optimise operation for different cow traffic patterns and routing systems.
Reliable Industrial Design
Built for demanding dairy environments with:
- IP66 PLC cabinet protection
- IP67 sensor protection
- Industrial PLC control technology
Key Features
- Automatic lifting fence control
- Adjustable cow counting function
- Adjustable timer function
- Supports up to 8 lifting fences
- Adjustable sensor delay settings
- Adjustable sensor detection range
- Safe operation with manual downward control only
- Simple operator controls
- Suitable for robotic milking systems
Main Parts & Sets
| Part Number | Description | Size/Dimensions |
| 5550-6850-430 | PLC-control box | For ElevateGate |
| 5550-6850-434 | Mounting plate set | For PLC ElevateGate |
| 5550-6850-440 | Photocell set | For PLC ElevateGate |
Wire Bracket Sets
| Part Number | Description | Size/Dimensions |
| 5585-1610-025 | Wire bracket + Lock Nuts | 1.5" (48mm) M10x75 Duplex |
| 5585-1612-010 | Wire bracket + Lock Nuts | 2" (60mm) M12x90 Duplex |
| 5585-1610-085 | Wire bracket + Lock Nuts | 2.5" (76mm) M10x105 Duplex |
| 5585-1612-015 | Wire bracket + Lock Nuts | 3" (89mm) M12x124 Duplex |
| 5585-1612-020 | Wire bracket + Lock Nuts | 3.5" (101mm) M12x140 Duplex |
| 5585-1612-025 | Wire bracket + Lock Nuts | 4" (114mm) M12x155 Duplex |