PBI Systems: Parlor Systems That Work For You

PBI Systems: Parlor Systems That Work For You

By Steve Weisman

Located outside Portales, New Mexico, PBI Parlor Systems is a leading manufacturer of milking stalls and parlor equipment used by dairies around the world.

PBI played a key role in the development of the modern parallel stall. The company’s goal has always been to improve parlor efficiency by allowing more cows to be milked in less space while making the process safer and more comfortable for both cows and milkers.

“We wanted to streamline dairy parlors, milk cows more efficiently, and move them in and out of the parlor more quickly,” says owner Steve Peacock. “We also wanted a system that gave milkers better access, improved cow comfort, and allowed a cow that went down in the stall to get back up without being trapped by a traditional cage.”

With decades of dairy industry experience, Peacock and his team remain committed to helping producers improve profitability through innovative equipment and exceptional customer service.

More Than 30 Years of Innovation

PBI’s story began more than 30 years ago when local dairyman Jerry Settles, manager of Del Oro Dairy, asked Peacock to design a better parallel stall.

Peacock started his career as an industrial welder before remodeling corrals and eventually designing a parlor system that helped shape today’s dairy industry.

His original design proved the viability of the parallel stall. Today, PBI systems are among the most widely used worldwide.

The company’s stalls are built to be:

Stronger and more durable.
Simple to operate.
Long-lasting.
Easy to maintain.

Over the years, Peacock has continued refining the design.

“Any time I saw an improvement that could be made, I made adaptations,” he says. “We gave cows more room so they wouldn’t rub their backs, raised the stalls higher and faster so larger cows don’t hit their shoulders, and added longer indexing for smaller cows.”

Custom Built for Every Dairy

Every PBI parlor system is custom designed to match each dairy’s specific needs.

The company oversees every stage of the project—from design and manufacturing to installation—to ensure each system fits the operation, whether it’s a small family dairy or a large commercial facility.

“PBI has advanced both the way we build our stalls and the design itself so cows have more room,” Peacock says. “We can accommodate any size cow, and we can adapt our front end to work with virtually any existing brand of stall during a remodel.”

Built for Cow Comfort and Milker Safety

PBI continuously evaluates new design improvements that enhance comfort and efficiency for both cows and employees.

Durability is also a priority. Every system is constructed using heavy-duty galvanized and stainless steel to withstand years of daily use while maintaining smooth, rounded edges that help prevent injuries.

Another advantage is compatibility. PBI stalls integrate with every major brand of milking equipment, making installation straightforward for new construction or remodels.

“Performance excellence is ensured by our expert project installer and crew, which we make available for every installation,” Peacock says.

Each customer also receives ongoing support long after installation is complete.

The Elite Parallel Stall

PBI’s flagship Elite Parallel Stall offers several features designed to improve efficiency and cow flow.

Features include:

A hydraulic cylinder that raises an entire row of headstalls to 62-66 inches, providing full head clearance for even the largest cows.
Adjustable lowering of the headstalls to meet each dairy’s specifications.
Rapid-exit design that allows all cows to leave simultaneously.
Patented divider gates that use counterweights instead of springs.
Available in 26-inch centers for Jersey cows, 27-inch centers for mixed herds or Holsteins, and 28-inch centers for Holsteins.

A Producer’s Perspective

Eddie Schaap, owner of North Point Dairy, Pleasant Hill Dairy, and High Lonesome Dairy, had wanted to convert to PBI stalls for years because of their simple, dependable design.

“PBI came in, planned everything, custom built the stalls, and completed the remodel in two installation periods,” Schaap says. “We didn’t lose any production, and the cows adapted very well after only a few shifts.”

He says cows enter the parlor more efficiently because they have plenty of room to walk in.

After loading, the stalls can be adjusted to position cows closer to the butt plates. This allows milkers to prep udders and attach milking units without excessive reaching.

“When the cows are done milking, the stalls lift completely out of the way,” Schaap says. “There’s plenty of room for cows to exit without getting hung up on loops or posts.”

He also notes that if a cow goes down, she can be moved away from the stall quickly and safely. In colder climates, producers also don’t have to worry about frozen air lines.

“We have three barns with PBI stalls,” Schaap says. “They are the best.”

Cost-Effective Upgrades

Whether remodeling an existing facility or building a new dairy, PBI develops customized parlor systems that fit each operation.

“We’re very customer-oriented and have tried to remain as economical as possible because we understand the importance of improving dairy profits,” Peacock says. “Simple is best when it comes to a dairy stall.”

PBI’s experienced team includes employees who have been with the company for more than 20 years, including fabrication and installation supervisors Martin and Efren, office manager Jodi, and Lucky Peacock, who has been with the company since its beginning. Together, they guide customers from planning through installation.

As the dairy industry continues to evolve, many successful operations are looking to modernize without the expense of building new facilities.

For those dairies, Peacock Bros., Inc. (PBI) offers a cost-effective way to upgrade existing parlors, improve efficiency, and keep facilities operating productively for years to come.

For more information, visit pbiparlorsystems.com.

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