Adjustable Bagging Tunnel

A mobile bagging system, comprising:

• a bagging tunnel having an inlet and an outlet;
• a rail assembly disposed above the bagging tunnel and extending from above the inlet toward the outlet, the rail assembly having a horizontal axis of rotation proximate the inlet;
• and
• a cross-member assembly slidably mounted to the rail assembly, the cross member assembly having a bag retainer disposed thereon adapted to hold a bag.

A bagging machine, comprising:

• a hopper configured to receive material, the hopper having an exit;
• a tunnel disposed proximate the exit of the hopper, the tunnel having an inlet and an outlet;
• a packing assembly disposed at the exit of the hopper and the tunnel inlet;
• a bag lifting system disposed above the tunnel, the bag lifting system comprising first and second rails extending longitudinally from proximate the hopper toward the tunnel outlet, the first and second rails having an axis of rotation proximate the hopper exit, and a basket coupled to the first and second rail, the basket configured to slidably move from a first position proximate the tunnel outlet and a second position proximate the tunnel inlet.

A method of loading a bag onto a mobile bagging machine, the method comprising:

• obtaining a cylindrical bag;
• accessing a mobile bagging machine comprising a tunnel having an inlet and an outlet, at least one rail extending from a first end proximate the inlet to a second end proximate the outlet, the at least one rail being rotatable about the first end, and a cross-member configured to slide along the at least one rail;
• expanding a mouth of the cylindrical bag;
• lowering the second end of a rail relative to the first end of the rail, causing the slidable cross member to slide toward the second rail end;
• fitting a top of the mouth of the cylindrical bag over the slidable cross member;
• securing the cylindrical bag to the top of the slidable cross member;
• raising the second end of the rail above the first end of the rail causing the slidable cross member to slide toward the first end of the rail pulling the cylindrical bag along with the slidable cross member;
• and
• advancing a bottom of the mouth of the cylindrical bag toward the first end of the rail.