Liner & Shells
The right choice makes the difference
When it comes to selecting the right liners for your milking parlor, just remember this:
Size + Material + Shape.
Because one size definitely does not fit all...
FIRST THINGS FIRST: SIZE MATTERS!
The correct liner size is critical for proper milking performance. Length and diameter must match the teats of your herd. A liner that fits a Holstein-Friesian may not be suitable for a Simmental, for example.
A correctly fitted liner ensures an optimal vacuum seal, enabling gentle yet thorough teat massage. With the perfect fit, you benefit from:
- Consistent vacuum stability for ideal milking performance
- Reduced mastitis risk through hygienic, gentle handling
- Minimal teat-end stress, lowering the chance of hyperkeratosis
- Secure teatcup attachment, minimizing slips and fall-offs
GEA offers a wide range of liners tailored to your herd and milking system – for maximum efficiency and animal comfort, every day.
Second: Material Selection
Silicone vs. Rubber – Key Performance Differences
The main distinction between silicone and rubber liners lies in their service life:
- Rubber liners: up to 2,500 milkings
- Silicone liners: up to 5,000 milkings
Silicone liners are ideal for farms aiming to reduce replacement frequency and maintenance effort. Both materials are tested by GEA for:
- Mechanical durability
- Resistance to butterfat, detergents and disinfectants
- Hygienic, smooth milking performance
GEA liners are developed based on the expertise of experienced dairy professionals – tailored to ensure optimal performance, durability, and animal health.
Liner Barrel Shapes – What´s inside matters
Cylindrical or Conical?
The right barrel shape depends on your herd:
- Cylindrical: suited for uniform teat shapes
- Conical: adapts better to variation – ideal for mixed herds
Round or Non-Round?
- Round liners fully enclose the teat for secure grip and steady milk flow
- Non-round liners reduce pressure on the teat canal – helpful for herds prone to hyperkeratosis
GQ Liner – Smart Hybrid Design
The GEA GQ liner combines the advantages of different shapes (Conical, Round and Square). Gentle massage, secure fit, minimal air leakage – for efficient and gentle milking.
One for all: The new GEA Global composite shell
The new Global Composite Shell fits all GEA liners with AntiTwist technology – for a secure, twist-free connection and top milking performance.
Your Benefits:
- AntiTwist locks for precise liner hold
- Easy alignment with visible markers
- Ergonomic grip for fast attachment
- Durable, lightweight composite
- Hygienic surface design to reduce buildup
One shell. All liners. Maximum efficiency.
Liners for Classic Claws
Perfect Fit for Your Classic Milking Unit
Choose from GEA's largest liner portfolio – available in rubber and silicone, with round, non-round, cylindrical, and conical options to suit your herd perfectly.
Liners for the IQ Claw
GEA’s Global IQ liners in rubber and silicone are specially designed for IQ milking units. Featuring a flexible mouthpiece, they adapt to various udder shapes, ensuring reliable, animal-friendly milking.
- Versatile mouthpiece design
- Anti-twist solutions
- Nozzleless connection to the claw
Designed for optimal teat care and performance.
Liners for the Apollomilksystem
The Apollo IQ liners offer flexibility with various sizes and diameters to fit different teat shapes.
Benefits:
- Automated dipping, rinsing, and disinfection
- Removes 95% of pathogens
- Consistent safety and precise dosage
- Quiet, ergonomic milking
Liners for GEA Automated Milking System (AMS)
Farmers quotes
"The Classic GQ silicone liner has made our milking more efficient and more comfortable."
— Hol Stiens Farm, The Netherlands | At Hol Stiens Farm, the switch to our Classic GQ silicone small liner has led to noticeable improvements in their daily milking routine. The enhanced comfort and efficiency have made a real difference for the team.
"We had no liner slips at all — before we did and thought it was normal. This milks better!"
— Ludennec Family, Plouha, France | The Ludennec family upgraded their 2x12 Side-by-Side rapid exit system for 120 cows with our Classic Conical Medium Rubber liners. The new setup is lighter, more flexible, and has streamlined their routine — saving over 10 minutes per shift. Although they initially missed the sight glasses, they soon found them unnecessary thanks to the improved liner attachment and performance.
"We experience much less reattachment and much faster milking."
— Stuart Rogers, United Kingdom | Stuart have seen great results with our small IQ GQ silicone liner. Its slimmer, more flexible design makes application easier and suits cows with narrow rear teat placement. The result: quicker, smoother milking with fewer interruptions.
“They are very lightweight clusters. It makes a huge difference for your shoulders and arms. That alone would be reason enough for me to make the change.”
— Mieke Aertsen, Loenhout, Belgium | Mieke and her team switched to the GEA Global Liner and Composite Shell and quickly noticed improvements in comfort, milking speed, and milk quality. The lighter clusters are easier to handle, reduce strain during milking, and help minimize liner slips for a smoother routine. Combined with optimized milking settings, the new setup delivers excellent milk-out, healthy teat ends, and a solution that has won over the entire team.
Downloads
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Exclusively by GEA | The In-Liner-Everything Process
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GEA's Milking philosophy
The holistic GEA milking philosophy ensures your long-term milking success with high milk yield and healthy cows – safely, gently, quickly and without compromise.
Your local GEA dealer will be happy to assist you every step of the way.
This saves you time, money and nerves.
