Milking machines work in a way that is different from hand milking or calf suckling. Continuous vacuum is applied inside the soft liner to massage milk from the teat by creating a pressure difference across the teat canal. Vacuum also helps keep the machine attached to the cow. Atmospheric air is admitted into the pulsation chamber about once per second (the pulsation rate) to allow the liner to collapse around the end of teat and relieve congestion in the teat tissue. The ratio of the time that the liner is open (milking phase) and closed (rest phase) is called the pulsation ratio.

Many Dairy Famers prefer transparent PVC dairy hoses, since they offer a high rate of visibility. Besides transparency, these hoses offer a cost effective alternative to silicon and rubber hoses, since the special formulation allows for ease-of-use, flexibility and clean use.