Abstract:
An agricultural bagger apparatus and method for compacting feed into a horizontally deployed bag including a compression mechanism and an input hopper that receives agricultural feed. The hopper has a sloping wall and a lower end exit chute located to transfer the feed into the primary compression mechanism (e.g., a rotating toothed cylinder). The tapered hopper causes the feed to bridge, stopping the feed from falling through the chute. A new distribution mechanism in the hopper sweeps the feed adjacent to the sloping wall to prevent feed bridging. By preventing the feed from clogging, there is less reason to risk one=s safety by foolishly inserting their limb into the hopper. Some embodiments also compact feed in the upper portion of the tunnel, for example, by reciprocating a hinged piston above the primary compression mechanism. This increases the compaction on the top portion of the tunnel without unduly juicing the feed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of, and claims benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/769,707, Filing Date Jun. 27, 2007 (now abandoned), which is a continuation of, and claims benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/279,390, Filing Date Apr. 11, 2006 (now abandoned), which is a continuation of, and claims benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/977,036, Filing Date Oct. 11, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,024,839, issued Apr. 11, 2006, each which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of agricultural baggers, and more specifically to a method and apparatus of displacing pressure in the upper tunnel and for preventing bridging of feed in the input chute. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Horizontally expandable, silage storage bags are commonly used as an alternative to permanent feed storage structures such as barns and silos. From an economic standpoint, an expandable plastic storage bag is preferable to a more elaborate, permanent structure. Further, the expandable bags are more easily loaded with feed than permanent structure and the silage stored therein is readily accessible for use, for example using a small tractor with a front bucket to unload the feed. 
     An exemplary prior art bagger is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,552 (which patent is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference), to Paul Wingert, the present applicant. A tractor-powered bag-loading apparatus is disclosed in association with an expandable bag. A backstop is located at the filled end of the bag and has attached thereto laterally spaced cables which extend forward to rotatable cable drums on the bagger machine. The drums are yieldably braked and, under a predetermined force applied to the cables, release the cable to allow movement of the bag-loading apparatus and tractor away from the filled end of the bag as it is filled. The bag is filled by a toothed rotor which propels silage through a tapered tunnel and into the bag inlet. The tapered tunnel described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,552 provides a smooth, more evenly filled bag. 
     The bag for use with such bagging machines is manufactured and delivered in a pleated shape, i.e., folded into an accordion-bellows-type shape. Typically, a bag having a nominal ten-foot-diameter (approximately 3 meters diameter, or 9.6 meters circumference) and a 300-foot length (approximately 90 meters length) will be folded to a 10-foot-diameter (about 3 meters) ring about one foot (about 0.3 meter) long and 1 foot (about 0.3 meter) thick. To start the loading operation, this bag-ring is pre-loaded around the tunnel, and the pleats are unfolded one at a time as the bag is deployed and filled with feed stock. Once any portion of the bag fills with feed, that portion becomes very heavy, and does not move. Thus the bagger machine itself is propelled along the ground in front of the bag being filled. 
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of a prior-art bagger  100  (also called feed-bagging machine  100 ) such as shown and describes in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,552 by the inventor of the present invention, hereby incorporated by its entirety by reference. The feed bagger is not pulled; rather, the pressure from the feed filling the bag pushes the bagger  100  and the tractor (not shown) that is powering it (bagger  100 ) ahead at a rate equal to the filling rate of bag  99 . A steel cable between bagger  100  and a backstop (not shown, but which is to the right of the apparatus and bag shown in  FIG. 1 ) is yieldably held by a disk-brake mechanism. This ensures the feed is compacted before the bagger is allowed to advance. A rotor  130  having multiple teeth  131 , and powered by a power-take-off (PTO) shaft  133  from the tractor that powers bagger  100 , forces feed  98  up and back into a tunnel  250 . In some embodiments, tunnel  250  is a long tapered tunnel such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,552. 
     Movable upper bag bracket  125  is used to lift the folded bag  99  into place on the outside of tunnel  250 , and supports/holds the folded bag  99  at the front end of the top of tunnel  250  as it unfolds from the inside of the folded bag. Lower bag tray  120  is tilted up at its trailing edge, supported at its front edge by brackets  121 , and yieldably supported at its back edge by spring-and-chain (not shown, but which can have its force adjusted by setting various chain links of the chain onto a fixed hook at the top). The feed is dropped into hopper  139 . Such a bagger  100  has a tunnel  250  that provides some support for bag  99  as it unfolds, but which has side walls along which the bag unfolds that are ovoid such that the bag is stretched slightly and then released as it passes over tunnel  250  in the direction of travel of the bagger  100 . The bagger tunnel provides some back-pressure to the feed which thus extrudes into the bag rearward at a substantially constant pressure. 
     There are numerous problems that one contends with using previous bagging structures. For example, there is a safety problem caused by feed that bridges within the tapered hopper. Persons may be tempted to unclog the hopper by stomping or otherwise inserting an arm or a leg thus risking being sucked through and shredded by the primary compression mechanism. 
     Conventional baggers also suffer from an inability to adequately compact feed in the upper portion of the tunnel, thus leaving the feed in the lower bag highly compacted and the feed in the upper bag only moderately compacted. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides an agricultural bagger apparatus for compacting feed into a horizontally deployed bag. The apparatus includes a primary compression mechanism and an input hopper that receives agricultural feed. The hopper has a sloping wall and a lower-end exit chute located to transfer the agricultural feed into the primary compression mechanism. The tapered hopper tends to cause the feed to bridge, stopping the feed from falling into the chute. The apparatus also includes a first motor coupled to the sloping wall of the input hopper, and a first distribution mechanism inside the hopper to move the agricultural feed that was adjacent to the sloping wall in order to prevent feed bridging in the hopper before the primary compression mechanism. 
     Another aspect of the invention improves the flow of agricultural feed in an agricultural feed stock bagging machine having a tunnel and a primary compression mechanism fed by a hopper with a sloping wall. The feed is deposited into a hopper and pressure within the feed along the sloping wall is displaced and feed is swept along the sloping wall to reduce the tendency for the feed to bridge in the hopper in order that the feed continuously flows toward the primary compression mechanism. This is a major safety innovation to prevent a situation where a bagger machine operator might otherwise climb into the input hopper in a dangerous attempt to free the bridged feed and restart the flow of feed through the hopper. By preventing the clogged feed, there is less motivation for a person to foolishly insert an arm or foot into the hopper. 
     Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method for feeding a feed bag connected to a feed tunnel. The method includes compacting feed from the upper portion of the tunnel toward the central portion of the tunnel, and displacing pressure from the lower portion of the tunnel to the upper portion of the tunnel. 
     In some embodiments, the method further includes an oscillating piston connected to a hinged apparatus above the primary compression mechanism, and a reciprocating apparatus connected to the reciprocating piston to displace pressure inside the feed tunnel above the primary compression mechanism. This increases the compaction on the top portion of the tunnel without unduly juicing the feed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of prior art bagging machine  100 . 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric cutaway view showing a portion of sloping wall  139  and a single bar distribution mechanism  250 . 
         FIG. 3A  is an isometric view showing sloping wall  139  and two partially covered distribution mechanisms  350 . 
         FIG. 3B  is a cutaway side view of motor  310  that operates an elongated curvical distribution mechanism  350 . 
         FIG. 3C  is an angled top view of a dual distribution mechanism  300 C. 
         FIG. 3D  is an angled top view of a dual distribution mechanism  300 D. 
         FIG. 3E  is a schematic cross section of distribution system  300 D having motors  310  and  315  mounted on sloping wall  139  and two distribution mechanisms  350 . 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric cutaway view showing hopper  400  and a single distribution mechanism  250  on sloping wall  139 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic cross section of motor  310  showing sloping wall  139  and one distribution mechanism  350 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic cross section of single motor  310  driving a dual-actuated distribution mechanism  600  on sloping wall  139 . 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric cutaway view of sloping wall  139  and motor  310  showing a single arm dual sweeper distribution mechanism  700 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-section side view of bagging machine  800  having motor  310  powering a curvical sweeper distribution mechanism  350  on sloping wall  139 . 
         FIG. 9A  is an isometric view of hydraulic cylinder  910  showing hinged movement of wedge-shaped secondary compression mechanism  901 . 
         FIG. 9B  is an isometric view of a hydraulic cylinder  910  connected to cylindrical piston  904 . 
         FIG. 9C  is an isometric view of secondary compression mechanism  950  having cylinder  910  and rectangular piston  903  connected by a bifurcated connecting rod  930 . 
         FIG. 9D  is an isometric view of hydraulic cylinder  910  showing hinged movement of rectangular secondary compression mechanism  904 . 
         FIG. 9E  is an isometric view of hydraulic cylinder  910  showing hinged movement of wedge-shaped secondary compression mechanism  905 . 
         FIG. 9F  is an isometric view of hydraulic cylinder  910  showing hinged movement of a single plated secondary compression mechanism  950 . 
         FIG. 9G  is a top view of hydraulic cylinder  910  showing a single plated secondary compression mechanism  950 . 
         FIG. 9H  is a side view of hydraulic cylinder  910  showing hinged movement of a single plated secondary compression mechanism  950 . 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of bagging machine  800  having secondary compression mechanism  950  including swinging piston  910  driven by hydraulic compacting mechanism  901 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross section of bagging machine  100  showing a single distribution mechanism  250  on sloping wall  139  and a cross section view of secondary compression mechanism  1101 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The leading digit(s) of reference numbers appearing in the Figures generally corresponds to the Figure number in which that component is first introduced, such that the same reference number is used throughout to refer to an identical component which appears in multiple Figures. Signals and connections may be referred to by the same reference number or label, and the actual meaning will be clear from its use in the context of the description. 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a prior-art bagging machine  100  whereby feed  96  is deposited into hopper  138  and moves downward along sloping wall  139  toward primary compression mechanism  130  consisting of rotating mechanism having multiple teeth  131  and powered by a power-take-off (PTO) shaft  133 . Feed  98  is pushed down into primary compression mechanism  130  and forced up and back by primary compression mechanism  130  into tunnel  250 . Movable upper bag bracket  125  is used to lift folded bag  99  into place on the outside of tunnel  250  while lower bag tray  120  may be adjusted by brackets  121  to assist bag  99  to pass to the back end of tunnel  250  where feed  98  is compacted into bag  99  which is stretched from the circumference of the back of tunnel  250  and deployed as agricultural bagger machine  100  moves forward along ground  90 . A typical bag will be about 9 to 12 feet (3 to 4 meters) in diameter and about 250 feet (about 80 meters) or longer in length when filled. 
     In this description, the term “curvical” means a curved motion that includes a series of arcuate motions from end to end. Examples include a circle, an ellipse, other flatted convex curves, curves having both convex and concave portions as well as motions including curved and straight sections. In this description, the term “piston” is defined as any mechanism that reciprocates between a compressed position and a withdrawn position. Such a piston is typically plate steel fabricated to a solid external shape that can be extended into a body of feed to compact the feed and then withdrawn to a position that allows additional feed into the volume that the wedge used to occupy. In this description, the term “wedge piston” is defined as any hinged mechanism that reciprocates between a compressed position and a withdrawn position. Such a wedge piston is typically plate steel fabricated to a solid external shape that can be extended into a body of feed to compact the feed and then withdrawn to a position that allows additional feed into the volume that the wedge used to occupy. 
     Another exemplary bagging machine is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/721,268 filed on Nov. 22, 2000, entitled “Improved Agricultural Feed Bagger and Method” by Paul Wingert, the inventor of the present application. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/721,268 is incorporated in its entirety, by reference. In some embodiments of the present invention, a large conveyer-belt bed  970 , as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/721,268, is provided for loading voluminous quantities of agricultural material into hopper  138  (see  FIG. 10 , below). The feed  98  exits hopper  138  through chute  137  at its lower end. Such a loading mechanism exacerbates the problem of feed  98  bridging  95  within hopper  138 , and the present invention is useful in such an arrangement to prevent such bridging. 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric cutaway view  200  showing a portion of sloping wall  139  and single-bar distribution mechanism  220  connected by motor  310 . Elongated first bar  201  is connected to motor  310  by peg  211 . In some embodiments, first bar  201  is bent to an angle  222  and at end  221  distal to the connection of motor  310 . 
     Motor  310  rotates first bar  201  connected by axle  211  in a curvical motion along sloping wall  139 . The curvical motion (in this case, the curvical motion is circular) of first bar  201  bent to an angle  222  and at end  221  agitates and sweeps feed  98  at a distance along sloping wall  139  in a curvical motion, preventing bridging  95  of feed  98  in hopper  138  while displacing pressure along sloping wall  139  toward primary compression mechanism  130  and displaces pressure within chute  137  above primary compression mechanism  130  to a portion of the interior hopper  138 . Agitating or sweeping the feed  98  that is along the sloping wall prevents an arch from forming. 
       FIG. 3A  is an isometric view of another embodiment showing sloping wall  139  and distribution mechanisms  350  partially covered by cover  330 . First motor  310  is connected to elongated first bar  301 , and second motor  315  is connected to elongated second bar  302  such that the bars can be rotated in a curvical motion along sloping wall  139 . Third bar  303  and fifth bar  305  are hingedly connected to sloping wall  139  of hopper  138 . Fourth bar  304  is hingedly connected to third bar  303  and hingedly connected to first bar  301  near an end distal to its connection to first motor  310 . Sixth bar  306  is hingedly connected to fifth bar  305  and hingedly connected to second bar  302  near an end distal to its connection to second motor  315 . 
     Motors  310  and  315  rotate first bar  301  and second bar  302  respectively in curvical motions along sloping wall  139 . The circular motion of first bar  301  drives hingedly connected fourth bar  304  hingedly connected to third bar  303  in a curvical motion  350 . The circular motion of second bar  302  drives hingedly connected sixth bar  306  hingedly connected to fifth bar  305  in a curvical motion. The curvical motions of the respective lower ends of fourth bar  304  and sixth bar  306 , which may, in some embodiments, be flat and in plane, and angled as a hockey-stick shape  387  and  388 , respectively, and parallel to sloping wall  139 . In other embodiments, the ends  387  and  388  are bent to an angle  222  (such as is shown  FIG. 7 ) at end  221  distal to the connection of first motor  310  and second motor  315 . In their respective embodiments, bar ends  307 ,  308 ,  387 ,  388  and/or ends  221  agitate, cut and/or sweep feed  98  along sloping wall  139  in curvical motions  309 , thus preventing bridging  95  of feed  98  in hopper  138 , while displacing pressure along sloping wall  139  toward primary compression mechanism  130  and displaces pressure within chute  137  from above primary compression mechanism  130  to a portion of the interior of hopper  138 . In some embodiments, curvical motion  309  is designed such that a broad face  307  on the lower end of bar  304  is addressing the feed on the down sweep, but the narrow heal of portion  307  is addressing the feed on the up sweep. This provides a greater net downward motion to the feed and cuts one end of the arch (the end against sloping wall  139 ), thus preventing an unmovable bridge from forming in hopper  138 . This safety enhancement removes the motivation for the operator from climbing onto the feed into the hopper in order to manually break the bridge. 
       FIG. 3B  is a cutaway side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A , wherein motor  310  operates an elongated curvical distribution mechanism  350 . Motor  310  is connected to bracket  312  that is attached to sloping wall  139 . Motor  310  turns shaft  311  which is connected (e.g., by a pin or by welding to axle  341 ) to first bar  301 , which rotates in a curvical motion along sloping wall  139 . Third bar  303  is connected hingedly by pin  342  to sloping wall  139 . Fourth bar  304  is connected hingedly by pin  343  to third bar  303  and connected hingedly by pin  344  to first bar  301  near an end distal to its connection to motor  310 . 
     Motor  310  rotates first bar  301  in a curvical motion along sloping wall  139 . The circular motion of first bar  301  drives fourth bar  304  connected hingedly by pin  344  to third bar  303  connected hingedly by pin  343  which is connected hingedly by pin  342  to sloping wall  139  in a curvical motion. The curvical motion of fourth bar  304  agitates and sweeps feed  98  along, and at a distance from, sloping wall  139  in curvical motions in order to prevent bridging  95  of feed  98  while displacing pressure along sloping wall  139  toward primary compression mechanism  130 . 
       FIG. 3C  is an angled top view of a dual distribution mechanism  300 C illustrating first bar  301  and second bar  302  along sloping wall  139 . First bar  301  is connected hingedly to fourth bar  304 , which in turn is connected hingedly to third bar  303 , which is connected hingedly to sloping wall  139 . Second bar  302  is connected hingedly to sixth bar  306 , which in turn is connected hingedly to fifth bar  305 , which is connected hingedly to sloping wall  139 . In some embodiments such as shown in  FIG. 3C , the end segment  307  of fourth bar  304  and the end segment  308  of sixth bar  306  are bent to an angle  309  (similar to the shape of a flat hockey stick) so that the respective ends  307  and  308  are flat and in the same plane as bars  304  and  306 , respectively, and parallel to sloping wall  139 . 
     As illustrated, the curvical motions of first bar  301  drives fourth bar  304  in a curvical motion and third bar  303  in a reciprocating motion along sloping wall  139 . Second bar  302  drives sixth bar  306  in a curvical motion and fifth bar  305  in a reciprocating motion along sloping wall  139 . Fourth bar  304  and sixth bar  306  oscillate their respective ends  307  and  308  in curvical motions along sloping wall  139 , which agitates and sweeps feed  98  along sloping wall  139 , preventing bridging of feed  98  in hopper  138  while displacing pressure along sloping wall  139  toward primary compression mechanism  130 . Distribution mechanism  350  agitates and sweeps feed along sloping wall  139  to prevent compacting and bridging within hopper  138 . 
       FIG. 3D  is an angled top view of dual distribution mechanism  300 D. The apparatus  300 D of  FIG. 3D  differs from apparatus  300 C of  FIG. 3C  in that the curvical motions of the lower ends of bars  304  and  306  in apparatus  300 D are positioned to more fully cover the lower portion of sloping wall  139 . Note that sections  398  and  399  may not be adequately swept in the embodiment of  FIG. 3C , but no such sections exist in  FIG. 3D . First bar  301  is connected to axle  341  of first motor  310 . First bar  301  is connected hingedly by pin  344  to fourth bar  304  connected hingedly by pin  343  to third bar  303  which is connected hingedly by pin  342  to sloping wall  139 . Second bar  302  is connected to axle  345  of second motor  315 . Second bar  302  is connected hingedly by pin  348  to sixth bar  306  connected hingedly by pin  347  to fifth bar  305  which is connected hingedly by pin  346  to sloping wall  139 . 
     As illustrated, the curvical motions of first bar  301  drives fourth bar  304  in a curvical motion and third bar  303  in a reciprocating motion along sloping wall  139 . Second bar  302  drives sixth bar  306  in a curvical motion and fifth bar  305  in a reciprocating motion along sloping wall  139 . 
       FIG. 3E  is a schematic cross section of distribution system  300 D of  FIG. 3D  having motors  310  and  315  mounted on sloping wall  139  and two distribution mechanisms  350 . Motor  310  is connected to first bar  301 . First bar  301  is connected hingedly to fourth bar  304 , which is connected hingedly to third bar  303  which is connected hingedly to sloping wall  139 . Motor  315  is connected to second bar  302 . Second bar  302  is connected hingedly to sixth bar  306 , which is connected hingedly to fifth bar  305  which is connected hingedly to sloping wall  139 . In some embodiments, fourth bar  304  and sixth bar  306  are bent to an angle  309  so that ends  307  and  308  are distal to sloping wall  139 . 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric cutaway view of feed-input apparatus  400 , having hopper  138  and a single distribution mechanism  350  on sloping wall  139 . Bar  401  is connected hingedly to bar  403 , which is hingedly connected to bar  402 , which is hingedly connected to sloping wall  139 . Bar  401  is bent at end segment  404  to a shape similar to a hockey stick, flat and in plane with from sloping wall  139 . This provides a lower-edge surface that helps push the feed in the hopper in a direction that is more downward than the sideways direction that results if the bar is straight. Either configuration (straight or hockey-stick shaped bars) agitates the feed to prevent bridging. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic cross section of feed-input apparatus  400  of  FIG. 4 , having motor  310  showing sloping wall  139 . Motor  310  is connected to first bar  301 . First bar  301  is connected hingedly to fourth bar  304  connected hingedly to third bar  303  which is connected hingedly to sloping wall  139 . In some embodiments, fourth bar  304  is bent to an angle at end  307  distal to sloping wall  139 . 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic cross section of single motor  310  driving a dual-actuated distribution mechanism  600  powered by single motor  310  on sloping wall  139 . Motor  310  is connected to rotate first bar  301 . First bar  301  is connected hingedly to fourth bar  304  having end  307  bent away from sloping wall  139  and connected hingedly to third bar  303  which is connected hingedly to sloping wall  139 . Second bar  302  is without motor  315  and is connected hingedly to sloping wall  139 . Second bar  302  is connected hingedly to sixth bar  306  having end  308  distal to sloping wall  139  connected hingedly to fifth bar  305  which is connected hingedly to sloping wall  139 . Connecting bar  609  is connected hingedly and sandwiched between first bar  301  and fourth bar  304  and is connected hingedly and sandwiched between second bar  302  and sixth bar  306 . Connecting bar  609  forces arm  302  to follow the curvical motion of arm  301 . 
     The curvical motions of distribution mechanism  350  in  FIG. 4  and in  FIG. 5  and dual-actuated distribution mechanism  600  in  FIG. 6  all agitate and sweep feed  98  along sloping wall  139  while displacing pressure along sloping wall  139  toward primary compression mechanism  130  and displaces pressure within hopper  138  from above primary compression mechanism  130  to a portion of the interior of hopper  138 . 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric cutaway view of sloping wall  139  and motor  310  showing a single-arm dual-sweeper distribution mechanism  700 . Motor  310  is solidly connected to single sweeping bar  220  bent to angles  222  at both ends  221  distal to sloping wall  139 . 
     Sweeping bar  220  spins in a curvical motion whereby both ends  221  curvically agitate and sweep feed  98  along sloping wall  139  while displacing pressure along sloping wall  139  toward primary compression mechanism  130 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-section side view of bagging machine  800  having motor  310  powering a single curvical sweeper distribution mechanism  350  on sloping wall  139 .  FIG. 8  depicts motor  310  attached to the exterior of sloping wall  139 . Attached to motor  310  is a single distribution mechanism  350  on the interior of sloping wall  139 . Under distribution mechanism  350  is primary compression mechanism  130  having a rotor with multiple teeth  131  and powered by power-take-off (PTO) shaft  133 . 
     Agricultural feed  98  is deposited into hopper  138  and moves downward along sloping wall  139 . In the absence of distribution mechanism  350 , feed  98  (particularly if it is wet) compacts into the tapering hopper  138 , thus forming bridge  95 . Motor  310  powers distribution mechanism  350  which curvically agitates and sweeps feed  98  along sloping wall  139 , displacing pressure along sloping wall  139  toward primary compression mechanism  130 , preventing the bridging  95  of feed  98 . Feed  98  is pushed and forced up and back by primary compression mechanism  130  into tunnel  250  where feed  98  is compacted and extruded into bag  99  which is stretched from the circumference of the back of tunnel  250  and deployed as agricultural bagger apparatus  800  moves forward along ground  90 . 
       FIG. 9A  is an isometric view of piston  901  showing hinged movement of wedge-shaped secondary compression mechanism  950 A. Hydraulic cylinder  910  and connecting rod  911  are attached to hinge  912  on the top surface  953 . In some embodiments, piston  901  includes side plates  951  and  952 , and arched lower plate  953  and compacting surface  954  adjoined by hinge  958  to tunnel front wall  251  of tunnel  250  located above primary compression mechanism  130  and on the upper portion of the cavity of tunnel  250 . A lip  926  on the trailing edge of plate  953  of the wedge-shaped piston is stopped by flange  924  and flush with the exterior of flange  924  at the compaction stage. Wedge-shaped piston  901  protrudes inward into tunnel  250  at the compacting stage and protrudes exterior to tunnel  250  at the non-compacting stage, creating a reciprocating motion as illustrated. 
     In some embodiments, piston  901  is activated for an approximately 1-second compression cycle that occurs once every 10 seconds. Thus, primary compression mechanism  130  is filling the volume in back of piston  901  for approximately 9 seconds, then piston  901  is extended into tunnel  250  for less than about one second and then withdrawn, leaving space for more feed to be deposited by primary compression mechanism  250 . 
       FIG. 9B  is an isometric view of another embodiment, having hydraulic cylinder  910  connected to cylindrical piston  902  which may be used as an alternative to the embodiment of  FIG. 9A . Hydraulic cylinder  910  is connected to piston rod  940  which pushes piston  902  through sleeve  924 , but not further than surrounding flange  901 , in a reciprocating motion as illustrated. 
       FIG. 9C  is an isometric view of another embodiment, having secondary compression mechanism  950  having hydraulic cylinder  910  connected to piston rod  911  and connected to rectangular piston  903  by a bifurcated connecting rod  930  which may be an alternative to  FIGS. 9A and 9B . Hydraulic cylinder  910  compresses piston rod  911  connected to bifurcated connecting rod  930  whereby rectangular piston  903  is pushed through sleeve  920  but not further than flange  901  in a reciprocating motion as illustrated. 
       FIG. 9D  is an isometric view of hydraulic cylinder  910  showing hinged movement of rectangular secondary compression mechanism  950  which may be an alternative to  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  9 C. Hydraulic cylinder  910  is connected to piston rod  911  and reciprocates rectangular piston  90  on hinge  920  as illustrated. 
       FIG. 9E  is an isometric view of hydraulic cylinder  910  attached to piston rod  911  showing hinged movement of wedge-shaped secondary compression mechanism  950  which may be an alternative to  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  9 C and  9 D. Hydraulic cylinder  910  is connected to piston rod  911  and reciprocates wedge-shaped piston  905  on hinge  920  as illustrated. 
       FIG. 9F  is an isometric view of hydraulic cylinder  950  showing hinged movement of a single plated secondary compression mechanism  950 . Hydraulic cylinders  910  and piston arms  911  are located at opposite sides  136  of hopper chute  138 . Piston arms  911  attach to hinges  912 . Piston brackets consisting of top bars  956  and  957  and arched bars  953  which connect to hinges  912  are located at opposite ends on side walls  136  opposite sloping wall  139  of hopper  138 . Top bars  956  and  957  and arched bars  953  fit into sleeves  970  attached to compacting plate  954  and located on either side of hopper  138 . Compacting plate  954  stiffened and supported by bracket  968 , which, in some embodiments, is a hollow pipe having a triangular cross section welded to the back of plate  954  on the non-compacting side of plate  954 . Plate  954  reciprocates or swings on hinge  958 . Secondary compression mechanism  950  is mounted exterior of tunnel  250  and compacting plate  954  is flush with interior tunnel wall  250  at the non-compacting stage and protrudes further inward into tunnel  250  at the compacting stage. Exterior protrusions  971  of the exterior tunnel wall  250  act as stops for the piston brackets. 
       FIG. 9G  is a top view of hydraulic cylinder  950  showing a single plated secondary compression mechanism  950 . Hydraulic cylinders  910  and piston arms  911  are located at opposite sides  136  of chute  138 . Piston arms  911  attach to hinges  912 . Piston brackets consisting of top bars  956  and  957  and arched bars  953  that connect to hinges  912  (not shown) and are located at opposite ends on side walls  136  opposite sloping wall  139  of hopper  138 . Top bars  956  and  957  and arched bars  953  fit into sleeves  970  attached to compacting plate  954  and located on opposite sides of hopper  138 . Compacting plate  954  supported by stiffening bracket  968 , which, in some embodiments, is a hollow tube having a triangular cross section on its non-compacting (back) side. Plate  954  reciprocates (swings) on hinge  958 . Secondary compression mechanism  950  is mounted exterior of tunnel  250  and compacting plate  954  is flush with interior tunnel wall  250  at the non-compacting stage and protrudes further inward into tunnel  250  at the compacting stage. Exterior protrusions  971  of the exterior tunnel wall  250  act as stops for the piston brackets. 
       FIG. 9H  is a side view of hydraulic cylinder  910  showing hinged movement of a single plated secondary compression mechanism  950 . Hydraulic cylinder  910  and piston arm  911  are attached to hinge  912 . A piston bracket consisting of top bar  956  and arched bar  953  which connect to hinge  912  is located at wall  136  opposite sloping wall  139  of hopper  138 . Top bars  956  and arched bar  953  fit into sleeve  970  (not shown) attached to compacting plate  954 . At one point, tunnel  250  bends outward at  971  external to tunnel  250  toward hopper wall  169  which is opposite sloping wall  139 . Compacting plate  954  is, in some embodiments, supported by an angled stiffening bracket or tube  968  on its lower back side (the back side is the face opposite the compacting face, wherein the lower edge is the edge opposite hinge  958 ). Secondary compression mechanism  950  is mounted exterior of tunnel  250  and compacting plate  954  is flush with interior tunnel wall  250  at the non-compacting stage and protrudes inward further into tunnel  250  at the compaction stage. Exterior protrusion  971  of the exterior tunnel wall  250  acts as a stop for the piston bracket. 
     By surrounding the input hopper  138  on the left and right sides with compression mechanism  950  but having compacting plate  954  extend across most of the width of the tunnel, thus providing a very large width of even compaction across the top of the tunnel, while leaving hopper  138  open to the maximum extent. Bracing  968  stiffens plate  954 . 
       FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  9 C,  9 D,  9 E,  9 F,  9 G and  9 H all illustrate the operation of various reciprocating secondary compression mechanism which compact feed  98  in tunnel  250  as feed  98  is pushed into bag  99 . All of these pistons compact feed  98  from the upper portion of tunnel  250  toward the central portion of tunnel  250  and displaces pressure from the lower portion of tunnel  250  to the upper portion of tunnel  250 . The result is a feed bag  98  that is more compacted with feed. 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of bagging machine  800  consisting of hinged wedge-shaped secondary compression mechanism  950  driven by hydraulic cylinder  910 . The secondary compression mechanism  950  is located above primary compression mechanism  130  and on the upper portion of tunnel cavity  250  whereby hydraulic cylinder  910  is located exterior of tunnel  250  and wedge-shaped piston  901  is also located outside of tunnel  250  at the non-compacting stage and inside of tunnel  250  at the compacting stage. 
     As feed  98  is deposited into hopper  138 , it moves downward along sloping wall  139  where motor  310  powers secondary distribution mechanism  950  which curvically agitates and sweeps feed  98  along sloping wall  139  within tunnel  250  above primary compression mechanism  130 . Feed  98  is pushed and forced up and back by primary compression mechanism  130  into tunnel  250  where secondary compression mechanism  950 , powered by hydraulic cylinder  910 , operates a hinged wedge-shaped piston  901  in a reciprocating motion to compact feed  98  in tunnel  250  which is compacted into bag  99 . Wedge-shape piston  901  compacts feed  98  from the upper portion of tunnel  250  toward the central portion of tunnel  250  and displaces pressure from the lower portion of tunnel  250  to the upper portion of tunnel  250 . The result is a feed bag  99  that is filled with more compacted feed  98 . 
       FIG. 11  is a cross section of bagging machine  800  showing a single distribution mechanism  300  on sloping wall  139  and a cross section view of movement of an alternative rotary secondary compression mechanism  1101 .  FIG. 11  depicts motor  310  attached to the exterior of sloping wall  139 . Connected to motor  310  on the interior of sloping wall  139  is single distribution mechanism  300 . Beneath single distribution mechanism  300  and chute  137  is primary compression mechanism  130  consisting of a rotor having multiple teeth  131  and powered by power-take-off (PTO) shaft  133 . 
     Agricultural feed  98  is deposited into hopper  138  whereby feed  98  moves downward along sloping wall  139 . Motor  310  powers single distribution mechanism  300  which curvically agitates and sweeps feed  98  along sloping wall  139 , displacing pressure along sloping wall  139  toward primary compression mechanism  130  and displaces pressure within hopper  198  from above primary compression mechanism  130  to a higher portion of the interior of hopper  138 . Feed  98  is pushed and forced up and back by primary compression mechanism  130  into tunnel  250 . 
     Above primary compression mechanism  130  is secondary compression mechanism  1101  attached to the upper portion of tunnel cavity  250 . Secondary compression mechanism  1101  is located above primary compression mechanism  130  and on the upper portion of tunnel cavity  250  whereby motor  140  is exterior to tunnel wall  250  and rotating device  142 . Rotating device  142  consists of multiple teeth  141  and is located interior to tunnel wall  250 . 
     Secondary compression mechanism  1101  pushes and forces feed  98  received from primary compression mechanism  130  up and back toward the back of tunnel  250  by rotor  142 . Rotor  142  rotates in a curvical motion displacing feed  98  from the upper portion of the tunnel toward the central portion of the tunnel displacing pressure from the lower portion of the tunnel to the upper portion of the tunnel having the effect of more efficiently dispersing feed  98  into bag  99  which is stretched from the circumference of the back of tunnel  250 . 
     Secondary compression mechanism  1101  is particularly useful for dry feed  98  applications in view of the fact that non-dry feed  98  that is processed through rotating device  142  having multiple teeth  142  tends to mulch non-dry feed  98  to a puree-like consistency which is undesirable for use in the industry. 
     One aspect of the present invention provides an agricultural bagger apparatus  200  or  300  for compacting feed  98  into a horizontally deployed bag  99 . Apparatus  200  or  300  includes a primary compression mechanism  130 , an input hopper  138  that receives agricultural feed  98 , hopper  138  having sloping wall  139  and a lower end exit chute  137  located to transfer agricultural feed  98  into primary compression mechanism  130 . Apparatus  200  or  300  also includes first motor  310  coupled to sloping wall  139  of input hopper  138 , and first distribution mechanism  250  or  350  inside hopper  138  to move agricultural feed  98  adjacent to sloping wall  139  in order to prevent feed  98  bridging  95  before primary compression mechanism  130 , the distribution mechanism  250  or  350  being powered by first motor  310 . 
     In some embodiments, first motor  310  is a rotary motor, and distribution mechanism  250  or  350  further comprises an elongated first bar  201  or  301  attached along its length to first motor  310  such that first motor  310  sweeps first bar  201  or  301  in a curvical motion along sloping wall  139 . 
     In some embodiments, first bar  201  is bent to an angle  222  at an end distal to connection  211  to first motor  310 . In other embodiments, a leading edge of the first bar forms a non-parallel angle relative to a radius of rotation of the first bar. 
     Some embodiments further include second motor  315  coupled to sloping wall  139  of input hopper  138 , and elongated second bar  306  attached along its length to second motor  315  such that second motor  315  sweeps second bar  306  in a curvical motion along sloping wall  139 . 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes third bar  303  hingedly connected (for example, using pin  342 ) to a wall of hopper  138 , fourth bar  304  hingedly connected (for example, using pin  343 ) to third bar  303  and hingedly connected (for example, using pin  344 ) to first bar  301  near an end distal to its connection (for example, using axle  341 ) to first motor  310 . The apparatus also includes fifth bar  305  hingedly connected to sloping wall  139  of hopper  138 , and sixth bar  306  hingedly connected to fifth bar  305  and hingedly connected to second bar  302  near an end distal to its connection to second motor  315 . 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus includes fourth bar  304  having an end segment that is angled to a shape similar to a hockey stick, and sixth bar  306  having an end segment  388  that is also angled to a shape similar to a hockey stick, wherein bars  304  and  306  as well as end segments  387  and  388  are substantially parallel to sloping wall  139 . In other words, the fourth bar  304  rotates substantially in a plane, is substantially flat in the plane of its rotation, and has an end segment  307  having a leading edge that is angled relative to a radius of rotation. The sixth bar  306  also rotates substantially in a plane, is substantially flat in the plane of its rotation, and has an end segment  308  having a leading edge that is angled relative to a radius of rotation. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes cover  330  attached to hopper  138  that covers an upper portion of distribution mechanism  300  to prevent feed  98  from binding  95  from one or more of the connections. 
     In a further embodiment, the apparatus includes tunnel  250  having an internal cavity, and connected to primary compression mechanism  130  to receive feed  98  output from primary compression mechanism  130  and operable to extrude feed  98  into bag  99  deployed from around tunnel  250 . Secondary compression mechanism  950  is located above primary compression mechanism  130  and connected to tunnel  98  to displace pressure from above primary compression mechanism  130  and toward an upper portion of tunnel  250  cavity. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes tunnel  98  having an internal cavity, and connected to primary compression mechanism  130  to receive feed  98  output from primary compression mechanism  130  and operable to extrude feed  98  into bag  99  deployed from around tunnel  250 . A secondary compression mechanism  950  located above primary compression mechanism  130  and connected to tunnel  250  to displace pressure from above primary compression mechanism  130  and toward an upper portion of tunnel  250  cavity. 
       FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  illustrate an apparatus and an associated method for improving the flow of agricultural feed  98  in agricultural feed stock bagging machine  800  having tunnel  250  and primary compression mechanism  130  fed by hopper  138  with sloping wall  139 , the method includes depositing feed  98  into hopper  138  and displacing pressure along sloping wall  139  toward primary compression mechanism  130 , in order for feed  98  to easily fall through hopper  138  to primary compression mechanism  130 . Displacing pressure includes sweeping feed  98  along sloping wall  139  in a curvical motion. 
     Some embodiments also include displacing pressure within tunnel  250  from above the primary compression mechanism  130  to a higher portion of tunnel  250  interior, in order to provide a higher compaction in the upper portion of the tunnel  250 . Thus,  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  further illustrates pushing feed  98  into tunnel  98  using primary compression mechanism  130 , displacing pressure within tunnel  98  from above primary compression mechanism  130  to a higher portion of tunnel  250  interior. 
     Some embodiments of the method include agitating feed  98  within a circumference of the curvical motion along sloping wall  139  in order for feed  98  to easily fall through hopper  138  to primary compression mechanism  130 . In some embodiments, the method displaces pressure by sweeping feed  98  along sloping wall  139  in a first curvical motion and in a second separated curvical motion, both along sloping wall  139 . 
     Some embodiments of the method include agitating feed  98  at a circumference of the two curvical motions and at a distance from sloping wall  139  in order for feed  98  to easily fall through hopper  138  to primary compression mechanism  130 . 
     Some embodiments of the method further include directing feed  98  beyond an upper portion of the curvical motion in order that feed  98  is primarily swept at a lower portion of the curvical motions. 
     Some embodiments of the method further include displacing pressure and sweeping feed  98  along sloping wall  139  in a curvical motion along sloping wall  139 . 
     Some embodiments of the method further include agitating feed  98  at a circumference of the curvical motion and at a distance from sloping wall  139  in order for feed  98  to easily fall through hopper  138  to primary compression mechanism  130 . 
     Some embodiments of the method further include displacing pressure along sloping wall  139  toward primary compression mechanism  130  in order for feed  98  to easily fall through hopper  138  to primary compression mechanism  130 . 
       FIG. 10  also shows a table  970  having a conveyor mechanism  971 , as further described in patent application Ser. No. 09/721,268, referenced above. This input table allows a large quantity of feed to be deposited or dumped, for example, by a dump truck or front-end loader, which is then free to do other work while the feed is conveyed from table  970  into hopper  138 . 
     It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.