What is the MobiStar Swing, and how does it compare to a traditional parlour?

What is the MobiStar Swing – and how does it compare to a traditional Dairymaster swing-over parlour?

Choosing the right milking parlour for your farm is a major decision, both financially and practically. If you’re looking for a solution that combines flexibility, proven milking performance, and fast setup, the MobiStar from Dairymaster may be the ideal choice. But what exactly is the MobiStar, how does it work, and how does it compare to a fixed Dairymaster swing-over parlour?

Let’s take a closer look at the different MobiStar versions, what makes them unique, and how they differ from a traditional system.

 

The Dairymaster Swing-Over Parlour: trusted, efficient and proven

Before diving into the MobiStar, it’s important to understand the swing-over system itself.

A swing-over parlour allows you to milk cows on both sides using only one set of milking units (clusters). After milking one side, the operator simply swings the units across to the other side, because of this the cluster is in use 90% of the time. This setup is highly cost-effective, as it cuts down the number of clusters needed by half, without sacrificing throughput or milking performance.

Dairymaster’s swing-over parlours are known for:

• Great milk-out thanks to specially designed liner, clusters and milking technique.
• Efficient milking with a high cow-per-hour capacity
• Long durability of the parlour.

It’s a highly reliable system used on farms worldwide and is available in various configurations and sizes, usually as a permanent installation in a new or existing milking facility.

 

The MobiStar Concept: flexibility meets quality

The MobiStar takes the core of Dairymaster’s swing-over technology and places it in a pre-fab unit. This allows farmers to quickly start milking, even when the final milking building or infrastructure is not yet in place. If there is no space for the milking parlour inside the barn, it even possible for the MobiStar to be placed outside with very limited construction costs.

Think of situations such as:

• A new barn or milking facility is under construction
• A farmer is starting up and needs a lower-investment option
• A farmer wants to replace a milking robot
• A fire or emergency has destroyed existing infrastructure
• A replacement parlour is needed temporarily during renovations

The MobiStar can be installed and operational within two to three days after arrival on site. While the MobiStar itself is complete, additional connections — such as transport lines to the milk tank, water, and electricity — still need to be installed.

Leasing options available
If purchasing a parlour outright is not feasible, leasing may offer a practical alternative. Thanks to the MobiStar’s mobile nature, it is often easier to arrange a lease compared to a fixed installation. Your bank or leasing provider can help set up a leasing agreement.

 

Three MobiStar versions to fit different farm needs

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to milking, and that’s why the MobiStar comes in several versions:

1. MobiStar Swing

This is the most popular version of the MobiStar. The MobiStar Swing can be best described as a pre-assembled, mobile version of a Dairymaster Swing-Over parlour. It includes all the core Dairymaster milking technologies, but in a prefabricated unit that is quick to install and can be relocated. But it is also a great option for a permanent parlour.

You can configure the MobiStar Swing:

• With or without ramps for cow access
• With or without an integrated technical room. The technical room houses the milk receiver, milk pump, milk filter, and fully automatic rinsing machine. Also mounted in this room are the vacuum pump and connections for electricity, water and milk pressure line. All this equipment and connections are standard equipment in the MobiStar technical room. For larger units, such as the 2×16 or 2×18 MobiStar Swing, the technical room is delivered as a separate unit

It is available in setups from 2×6 up to 2×18 units.

✅Ideal for farms that need flexibility during construction, or want a permanent solution.

2. MobiStar Hydraulic

The MobiStar Hydraulic is a space-saving and ergonomic option. Unlike the standard version with ramps, this parlour has one row of cows and uses a hydraulic lifting platform. This means cows are lifted up to operator level – no need for ramps or long walking distances.

It is available in setups from 2×6 up to 2×12 units.

✅ Perfect for smaller farms, or areas with limited space. It fits farms that want parlour with minimal civil work required.

3. MobiStar with Wheels

This mobile version is mounted on a chassis with wheels, allowing it to be moved from one location to another. The cows access the parlour via ramps.

It is available in setups from 2×6 up to 2×14 units.

✅ Especially useful if cows are milked in different places, such as when a farmer is transitioning between locations or doing temporary grazing milking. While less common, this version offers maximum flexibility.

Please note: the wheeled version is only available in Europe.

 

Comparison: MobiStar vs fixed Dairymaster parlour

Feature	MobiStar Swing	Fixed Swing-Over Parlour
Installation time	2 / 3 days on-site	Several weeks (incl. civil work)
Builing type	Simple building, concrete pit or flat floor only	More complicated
Mobility	Permanent or can be relocated	Permanent
Flexibility	High (temporary use possible)	Low
Technology	Dairymaster technology	Dairymaster technology

The technology is identical — both systems offer Dairymaster’s vacuum pumps, clusters, ACRs, milk metering, and further optional automation. The difference lies in the setup: the MobiStar is a faster and more flexible way to get started, especially when time or infrastructure is limited.

 

Which MobiStar is right for you?

Ask yourself the following:

• Do I need a solution while construction is ongoing?
• Given the financial possibilities, would leasing be an option?
• Do I want to reduce upfront civil works?
• Do I have limited space for ramps or cow movement?
• Will I need to move the parlour in the future?

Depending on your answers, the right MobiStar version becomes clear. And with the modular design, you can even upgrade or relocate your MobiStar in the future if needed.

 

Conclusion

The MobiStar range brings the performance of Dairymaster’s fixed parlours into a flexible, modular format that is ideal for modern dairy farming challenges. Whether you’re building new infrastructure, recovering from a setback, or simply want a quick way to start milking, there’s a MobiStar version that can support your goals.

Want to know more about which setup suits your farm best?
Get in touch with your local Dairymaster representative or contact sales-eu@dairymaster.com.