CA2959351A1 - Method and apparatus for mounting a tubular bag onto a crop bagging device - Google Patents

Abstract

A method includes: mounting a structural tunnel frame to a crop bagging device, the structural tunnel frame being pre-loaded with a tubular bag, which is in a folded state encircling an outer peripheral surface of the structural tunnel frame;
supplying a crop from the crop bagging device into the tubular bag; and feeding the tubular bag from the structural tunnel frame as the tubular bag fills with the crop. An apparatus is disclosed comprising: a structural tunnel frame defining a crop-bagging-device-tunnel-shroud-receiving interior that extends between a crop supply open end of the structural tunnel frame to a crop discharge open end of the structural tunnel frame; and a tubular bag, which is supported in a folded state encircling an outer peripheral surface of the structural tunnel frame.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING A TUBULAR BAG ONTO A CROP
BAGGING DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This document discloses a method and apparatus for mounting a tubular bag onto a crop bagging device.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Mounting a tubular bag onto a crop bagging device requires several individuals to lift the bag, which is folded in a ring in an accordion fashion and weighs up to 500 pounds or more, into position upon a tunnel at the discharge end of a crop bagging device. Lifting devices exist that consist of a cradle that mounts to the crop bagging device within the tunnel. In use the cradle is lowered to the ground by a boom and a winch or hydraulic actuator integral to the crop bagging device. Once on the ground a bag is loaded over the cradle, and then the cradle is lifted, until the bag is positioned above the top end of the tunnel. The bag is then placed directly onto the tunnel, secured in place, and crop bagging can begin. The process of replacing a crop bag on a crop bagging device can take 45 minutes or more.
SUMMARY

[0003] A method is disclosed comprising: mounting a structural tunnel frame to a crop bagging device, the structural tunnel frame being pre-loaded with a tubular bag, which is in a folded state encircling an outer peripheral surface of the structural tunnel frame;
supplying a crop from the crop bagging device into the tubular bag; and feeding the tubular bag from the structural tunnel frame as the tubular bag fills with the crop.

[0004] An apparatus is disclosed comprising: a structural tunnel frame defining a crop-bagging-device-tunnel-shroud-receiving interior that extends between a crop supply open end of the structural tunnel frame to a crop discharge open end of the structural tunnel frame; and a tubular bag, which is supported in a folded state encircling an outer peripheral surface of the structural tunnel frame. =

[0005] In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of the following features: The crop bagging device has a tunnel shroud that defines a crop discharge end of the crop bagging device. Mounting comprises sliding the structural tunnel frame over an outer peripheral surface of the tunnel shroud. The structural tunnel frame is sized and structured to hold the tubular bag, when in the folded state, in a conformation where a crop conduit, defined by structural tunnel frame or the structural tunnel frame and the tubular bag, has sufficient minimum dimensions to permit the structural tunnel frame to be slid in an axial direction over the tunnel shroud without the tubular bag catching on the tunnel shroud. The structural tunnel frame comprises a network of frame members that support a frame tunnel shroud. The outer peripheral surface, of the structural tunnel frame, is defined by the frame tunnel shroud. The frame tunnel shroud comprises a sheet of metal. The structural tunnel frame is tubular in shape. The tubular bag is secured to the outer peripheral surface of the structural tunnel frame via a strap. Mounting is carried out using a lifting device. The lifting device comprises a forklift, and in which during mounting, forklift tines of the forklift are positioned within forklift-tine-receiving passages of the structural tunnel frame. The lifting device comprises a crane. The tubular bag, when in the folded state, is folded in an accordion fashion. The structural tunnel frame comprises a base platform, which is spaced below a base part of the outer peripheral surface, of the structural tunnel frame, to define a tubular bag receiving cavity between the base platform and the base part.
After filling the tubular bag, removing the tubular bag from the structural tunnel frame.
Demounting the structural tunnel frame from the crop bagging device. After demounting:
mounting the structural tunnel frame or a second structural tunnel frame to a crop bagging device, the structural tunnel frame or second tubular structural being pre-loaded with a second tubular bag, which is in a folded state encircling an outer peripheral surface of the structural tunnel frame or second structural tunnel frame. Supplying a crop from the crop bagging device into the second tubular bag. Feeding the second tubular bag from the structural tunnel frame or second structural tunnel frame as the second tubular bag fills with the crop. Prior to mounting, pre-loading the tubular bag onto the outer peripheral surface of the structural tunnel frame. Securing the structural tunnel frame to the crop bagging device.

The structural tunnel frame comprises a pair of parts that are spaced and structured to define forklift-tine-receiving passages.

[0006] These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in the claims, which are incorporated here by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in which:

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a method of loading a tubular bag onto a structural tunnel frame.

[0009] Figs. 2 and 3 are a perspective view, and a section view, respectively, illustrating a method of mounting the structural tunnel frame and tubular bag of Fig. 1 to a crop bagging device, with a forklift shown in Fig. 3.

[0010] Fig. 4 is a section view illustrating a method of feeding crop from a feed arm of a grain cart through the crop bagging device and structural tunnel frame of Fig. 2 and into the tubular bag.

[0011] Fig. 5 is a section view illustrating the apparatus of Fig. 2 after the tubular bag has been filled with crop, removed from the crop bagging device, and sealed.

[0012] Fig. 6 is a section view illustrating a method of demounting, using a forklift, the structural tunnel frame from the crop bagging device, after removal of the tubular bag from the structural tunnel frame in Fig. 5.

[0013] Fig. 7 is a front end elevation view of another embodiment of a structural tunnel frame pre-loaded with a tubular bag.

[0014] Fig. 8 is a front end elevation view of another embodiment of a structural tunnel frame pre-loaded with a tubular bag, and mounted on a crop bagging device, with the tunnel shroud of the crop bagging device replaced with a series of guide pins.

[0015] Fig. 9 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of Fig. 8, illustrating a method of mounting a structural tunnel frame on the guide pins.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described here without departing from what is covered by the claims.

[0017] Referring to Fig. 5, a tubular bag 36 may be used to store harvested crops 88 such as silage, grains, and other plants that are grown as food. Such bags may be made of water impermeable material, such as plastic, which may be sufficiently durable to withstand external elements over one or more seasons of weather. Such bags may be sealed on either end and may extend along a ground surface for considerable distances, such as three hundred feet, twelve hundred feet, or longer or shorter distances, and may be made in relatively large diameters, such as four to fourteen feet in diameter, or larger or smaller diameters. These bags may be relatively thick-walled, flexible, and expandable, and may be filled compactly with crop to minimize air pockets and reduce or eliminate moisture ingress to ensure that the crop remains in good condition for months at a time. Tubular bags are used as a cost-effective and flexible replacement for traditional upright silo storage.

[0018] Referring to Fig. 4, a crop bagging machine or device 48 may be used to supply crop into a tubular bag 36. A variety of designs for such devices 48 exist, but a common design includes a hopper 50, a conveyor such as a rotating feed auger 80, and a discharge tunnel shroud 112. The hopper 50 may be used to receive and funnel crop, for example supplied from a conveyor 101 connected to a grain cart. The hopper 50 may be connected to supply crop to a conveyor conduit 52 that leads to an outlet 84 within tunnel shroud 112. Referring to Fig. 4, the conveyor 101 may force crop into a bag 36. The auger 80 may have a transverse rotating roller that is fitted with radial arms that sweep crop out of an outlet 84 in an internal wall 86 of the device 48, out the tunnel shroud 112, and into the bag 36. Other suitable conveyors may be used such as an impellor, a fan, or a conveyor belt.
The auger 80 may expel crop at a sufficient pressure to compact crop within the bag 36. In some cases the conduit 52 may extend axially beyond the shroud 112 into the bag 36 itself (not shown). The crop bagging device 48 may have a backstop (not shown) that prevents the bag 36 from being forced away from the device 48 before the bag 36 is filled to proper compaction. Referring to Fig. 2, the conveyor, for example the auger, may be powered from the power take-off shaft of a farm tractor (not shown), which may connect to a power takeoff shaft 66 on the device 48.

=

[0019] Referring to Figs. 2-3, crop bagging device 48 may have a variety of suitable other features. A hydraulic or other actuator 54 may be provided for raising and lowering a bag pan platform 56 that is spaced below the shroud 112. Crop bagging device 48 may have a tow connection 64, for example an A-frame as shown, for connecting to a tractor or other suitable towing vehicle. Ground engaging members 60, for example wheels, skids, or tracks, may be provided.

[0020] In a conventional use (not shown), a bag is directly fitted to, for example wrapped around, the tunnel shroud 112, to receive crop supplied through the conduit 52. The tunnel shroud 112 forms a conduit and has a suitable shape - often a curved semi-cylindrical shape, or an arched or inverted U-shape as shown. The tubular bag sits around an outer peripheral surface of the tunnel shroud 112 during use. Referring to Fig. 2, the shroud 112 may have a maximum outer diameter 113 that is equivalent to or smaller than the maximum inner diameter 111 of the tubular bag 36, so that the bag 36 may be fitted over the shroud 112. The bag is folded in an unexpanded and compacted configuration and begins to unfold as the bag is filled with crop. As the bag is filled the bag begins to expand, and as the bag expands it feeds gradually off of the shroud 112 onto the ground.

[0021] Referring to Figs. 1-5 and 7-8, an apparatus 11 is illustrated comprising a structural tunnel frame 10. Frame 10 may be provided to act as a rack that supports one or more tubular bags 36, for example a crop or silage bag as shown. Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, tubular bag 36 may be supported in a folded state encircling an outer peripheral surface 22 of the structural tunnel frame 10. Referring to Fig. 1, the outer peripheral surface 22 is illustrated prior to bag 36 being mounted thereon. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, structural tunnel frame 10 may define a crop-bagging-device-tunnel-shroud-receiving interior 87 that extends between a crop supply open end 34 of the structural tunnel frame 10 to a crop discharge open end 32 of the structural tunnel frame 10.

[0022] Referring to Fig. 4, tubular bag 36 may be folded in an accordion fashion. The folded state may be achieved by a suitable method such as folding the bag 36 back and forth on itself in alternating directions to form a stack 36C of folded layers. The bag 36 may then be incrementally fed from the stack 36C by pulling upon an outer layer 36A or an inner layer 36B of the stack 36C. In the example shown the bag 36 is fed from the frame 10 by pulling on the outer layer 36A. In the example shown the layers are arranged horizontally, although other configurations may be used, such as vertical layers, and it should be understood that the words horizontal and vertical are defined relative to the outer peripheral surface 22 of the frame 10 and not by reference to the direction of gravitational acceleration on the Earth.

[0023] Referring to Fig. 1, tubular bag 36 may have a suitable structure for loading onto structural tunnel frame 10 and for receiving and storing crops. Tubular bag 36 may define a crop-receiving conduit 39 that extends between an open supply end 46 of the tubular bag 36 to an open discharge end 44 of the tubular bag 36. In use, the tubular bag 36 may form a ring that nests around the frame 10. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, an inside circumferential surface 38 of the tubular bag 36 may contact outer peripheral surface 22 of the structural tunnel frame 10 when loaded on structural tunnel frame 10.

[0024] Referring to Fig. 2, the tubular bag 36 may be secured to the outer peripheral surface 22 of the structural tunnel frame 10 in use. For example, a strap 40 may be used to secure the bag 36 to the frame 10. The strap 40, which may have a strap tightener 42, such as a suitable ratchet, latch, or other locking system, which may provide sufficient resistance to prevent the entire bag 36 from being pulled off of the frame 10 in an axial direction during use, while providing sufficient slack to permit the bag 36 to be fed off of the frame 10 in a controlled layer-by-layer fashion. The strap 40 may retain the bag 36 in a loop or ring-like configuration as shown.

[0025] Referring to Figs. 1-5 and 7-8, structural tunnel frame 10 may comprise frame members, for example arranged in a supportive network. Referring to Fig. 1, in some cases the network of frame members, which may include beams as shown, support a frame tunnel shroud 20, which may be formed by a sheet of metal. Referring to Fig. 1, outer peripheral surface 22 may be defined by the frame tunnel shroud 20. Referring to Fig. 1, the frame members may support the shroud 20 on the outside, inside (shown), or both the outside and inside surfaces of the shroud 20. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the network of frame members may include cross and angle arms 106 and 108 along an inner peripheral surface 22 of the frame 10. Angle arms 28 may support a base part 108, such as a base sheet as shown, of the shroud 20. The ends 32, 34, or both ends 32 and 34 may be lined by frame member (not Tr ________ shown) to form a reinforced rim. Frame members may be made of suitable materials, such as steel or plastic. Guide pins may be used as frame members.

[0026] Referring to Figs. 1 and 7, frame 10 may comprise an inner frame 19 and an outer frame 23 connected rigidly together to define a bag-receiving-cavity 110 between the two. The outer frame 23 may also provide protection to a bag 36 supported by the frame 10.
In the example shown, the inner frame 19 is made up of arms 104, 106, 28, and shroud 20. In the example shown, the outer frame 23 includes a pair of side supports, such as formed by brace arms 26 mounted between base platform 30 and upright arms 17, which are also mounted to base platform 30. Brace arms 24 extend from uprights arms 17 to shroud 20, to rigidly connect the outer and inner frames 23 and 21. The base pan or platform 30 may be spaced below the base part 108 of the structural tunnel frame 10 to define part or all of the tubular bag receiving cavity 110 between the base platform 30 and the base part 108. The platform 30 may have ground engaging members, or may itself form a ground engaging member (as shown) to support the frame 10 on a ground surface in the upright position shown with a bag 36 pre-loaded to the frame 10. Referring to Fig. 1, outer frame 23 may include frame members such as tubes 25, arms 16, arm 14, and upright arm 15, as discussed further below, which further define cavity 110 between the inner and outer frames 21 and 23.

[0027] Referring to Fig. 2, structural tunnel frame 10 may be sized and structured to hold or otherwise retain tubular bag 36, when in the folded state, in a conformation where a crop conduit 39, defined by tubular bag 36, has sufficient minimum dimensions to permit structural tunnel frame 10 to be slid in an axial direction 70 over the tunnel shroud 112 of the crop bagging device 48 without the tubular bag 36 catching on the tunnel shroud 112. The shroud 20 may be shaped to correspond with the shape of the shroud 112.
Referring to Fig.
8, another embodiment of a frame 10 is shown.

[0028] Referring to Fig. 2, the frame 10 may support a sufficient angular portion, such as three hundred sixty degrees (100%), of a circumferential profile defined around the inner circumferential surface 38 of the bag 36. In the example shown, the frame 10 is tubular in shape and supports three hundred sixty degrees of the circumferential profile of surface 38 of bag 36. In other cases a relatively smaller angular portion, such as between one hundred eighty (50%), for example two hundred seventy or more, degrees (75%), may be supported.

Referring to Fig. 7, the circumferential profile of surface 38 may be defined around a longitudinal axis 71 of the bag 36. By supporting a sufficient angular portion of the bag 36, the amount of bag 36 that dangles freely below the frame 10 is reduced, in the example eliminated, reducing and in the example shown eliminating the possibility of catching the bag 36 on the tunnel shroud 112 of the crop bagging device 48. Any free portions of the bag 36 may be held taut to avoid catching on shroud 112 or other parts of device 48. In some cases the frame 10 may be made up of discrete, spaced parts that form a collective support for the requisite angular portion. For example, the frame 10 may be made up of discrete tines, spaced apart to form fingers, and that cooperate together to effectively form a single surface supporting the angular portion.

[0029] Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, structural tunnel frame 10 may comprise a suitable mechanism for lifting and positioning the frame 10. In the example shown, two such mechanisms are shown. A pair of parts, such as tubes 25, may be spaced and structured to define forklift-tine-receiving passages 18. Suitable passages 18 include slots, apertures, and others. Referring to Fig. 3, passages 18 may be sized to receive forklift tines 92 of a forklift inserted in a suitable direction, such as an axial direction 94. Axial in this document may refer to a direction that is parallel with axis 71 of the bag 36. Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, structural tunnel frame 10 may have apart, such as a crane lug 12, suitable for lifting via a crane hook 116. Referring to Fig. 2, one or more of crane lug 12 and tubes 25 may be mounted on a suitable part of frame 10, for example formed by an upright member or arm 15, which may support one or more cross member or arms 14 and 16. In the example shown, arms 16 support tubes 25, while cross arm 14 supports lug 12. Other lifting mechanisms may be used.

[0030] Referring to Figs. 1-3, tubular bag 36 may be loaded onto structural tunnel frame 10 via a suitable method. Referring to Fig. 1, tubular bag 36 may be supplied to a user, such as a farmer, in a pre-loaded state where the bag 36 is installed on surface 22. In one example the frame 10 is purchased from a retail or wholesale location with bag 36 pre-loaded. In some cases the method may include pre-loading the bag 36 on the surface 22, for example while the frame 10 is stationary, prior to mounting the frame 10 on the device 48.
Referring to Fig. 2, once loaded, tubular bag 36 may be secured to outer peripheral surface In, ________________________________________________________________ N. dr' dr 22 of the frame tunnel shroud 20, for example via strap 40 and tightener 42.
Thus, in one example, the farmer may pre-load the bag 36 upon frame 10, for example during the early morning hours of harvest season while the farmer is waiting for the sun to dry up any condensation or moisture on the ground.

[0031] Referring to Figs. 2-4, structural tunnel frame 10 may be mounted to crop bagging device 48 via a suitable method. Referring to Fig. 1, after the frame 10 is pre-loaded with bag 36, structural tunnel frame 10 may be mounted to crop bagging device 48.
Referring to Fig. 3, mounting may be carried out using a suitable lifting device such as a crane hook 116 or forklift tines 92. In the example shown, forklift tines 92 are used to mount frame 10, for example by inserting tines 92 into forklift-tine-receiving passages 18 of the structural tunnel frame 10. Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, structural tunnel frame 10 may be mounted to crop bagging device 48 by sliding the structural tunnel frame 10, for example in an axial direction 70 such as parallel to one or more of a longitudinal axis 71 (Fig. 7) of the tubular bag 36 or parallel to a longitudinal axis 73 (Fig. 3) of the tunnel shroud 112, over an outer peripheral surface or other suitable external surface 114 of the tunnel shroud 112 of crop bagging device 48. Referring to Fig. 4, once mounted, frame 10 may rest in a position coaxial with shroud 112, with the shroud 112 nested within the frame 10, and the frame 10 nested within the bag 36.

[0032] Referring to Fig. 4, once the frame 10 and bag 36 are mounted on the tunnel shroud 112, the tubular bag 36 may be prepared for crop bagging: In the example shown a leading end 76 of the tubular bag 36 is withdrawn from the stack 36C, and closed via a suitable mechanism. Referring to Fig. 4, a pair of boards 78 may be used to close the end 76, by positioning the end 76 between the boards 78 and securing the boards 78 together for example using fasteners such as nails, screws, or other suitable fasteners.
Once in place resting on the ground surface 102, with the end 76 of the tubular bag 36 closed and sealed, the bag 36 is ready to be filled with crop.

[0033] Referring to Fig. 4 crop bagging device 48 may then be used to supply crop 88, for example grain, into tubular bag 36. Crop 88 may be supplied from crop bagging device 48 into the tubular bag 36. Crop 88 may be supplied to device 48 from a crop storage or transfer vehicle, such as a grain cart, and feed via a crop conveyor 100, such as an auger, to hopper 50, for example in a direction 90A. Crop 88 may drop through hopper 50 to crop feed chute or conduit 52, for example in a direction 90B, via gravity or another suitable mechanism. Crop 88 may be moved or impelled through crop feed conduit 52 and ejected out of discharge outlet 84 via auger 80, for example in a direction 90C, out a discharge end 62 of the device 48, and into tubular bag 36, for example in a direction 90D.
Referring to Figs. 4-5, the tubular bag 36 may be fed, for example gradually, from the structural tunnel frame 10 as tubular bag 36 fills with crop 88.

[0034] Referring to Fig. 5, at a suitable point in the process, for example when the bag 36 is filled to capacity as shown, tubular bag 36 may be removed from structural tunnel frame 10. Referring to Fig. 5, the entire length of tubular bag 36 may be fed off of structural tunnel frame 10 as bag 36 is filled with crop 88. As shown, the bag 36 has been filled to capacity, and a trailing end 77 of bag 36 has been pulled off of contact with frame 10. The end 77 may be closed via a suitable mechanism, such as by using parallel boards 78 to pinch the end 77 in the same fashion as was done for leading end 76, along with the use of fasteners to secure the boards 78. Other suitable closing mechanisms may be used. Once closed and sealed, the bag 36 forms a weather resistant, moisture resistant, low-cost, silo storage device for long term storage of crop 88, for example over the winter months.

[0035] Referring to Fig. 6, at a suitable point in the process, for example after removal of bag 36, structural tunnel frame 10 may be removed, for example demounted, from crop bagging device 48. Structural tunnel frame 10 may be demounted from the crop bagging device 48 via a suitable mechanism, such as a lifting device for example a forklift as shown. Forklift tines 92 may be inserted within passages 18, frame 10 may be retracted in an axial direction off of shroud 112, frame 10 may be positioned at a suitable location on ground surface 102, and tines 92 may be retracted or withdrawn from frame 10 in a direction 96 after frame 10 has been demounted. In some cases, the frame 10 may be transported, for example by forklift, back to a storage area such as a barn.

[0036] Referring to Figs. 2-3, any part or all of the process may be repeated as many times as needed, for example to provide replacement bags 36 for use with bagging device 48.
Thus, after use of the initial frame 10 and corresponding bag 36, the first structural tunnel frame 10 or a second structural tunnel frame may be mounted to crop bagging device 48.

Prior to mounting, the structural tunnel frame 10 or second tubular structural may be pre-loaded with or supporting a second tubular bag, which is in a folded state encircling an outer peripheral surface of the structural tunnel frame or second structural tunnel frame. Crop 88 may be supplied from the crop bagging device 48 into the second tubular bag.
Second tubular bag may be fed from the structural tunnel frame 10 or second structural tunnel frame as the second tubular bag fills with the crop 88.

[0037] Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, an embodiment is shown where the tunnel frame mounts over a guide, for example formed by a series of spaced guide pins 112A, rather than a tunnel shroud 112. The guide pins 112A may be staggered about a periphery whose shape corresponds with the shape of the peripheral profile 113 of the frame 10, so that the frame 10 is able to slide over the guide pins 112A into place on the device 48. The guide pins 112A may be angled, for example inwardly toward one another (converging) with increasing distance from the device 48, to act as wedges to allow the pins to align and insert within the frame 10 as the frame 10 and device 48 move relatively toward one another during installation. The pins 112A may be mounted to be raised and lowered, for example if connected to a hydraulic system already present on the device 48. Thus, the device 48 may be positioned adjacent the frame 10, while the frame 10 rests upon the ground surface, the hydraulic lift adjusted to align the pins 112A and the frame 10, and the device 48 moved to insert the guide pins 112A into the frame 10, to pick up and mount the frame 10 in place, on the device 48. The frame 10 may be secured in place, for example using latches or other locking devices, and the method may resume as above. Demounting of the frame 10 may occur by a reverse procedure.

[0038] A crop bagging device may possess the ability to move itself, for example travel forward, to prevent overfilling or overstretching of the bag. Undue stretching and expansion of the bag may exert a force on the bagging device that could damage the device or the bag. Such a force may cause the bagging device to move forward and away from the filled portion of the bag as the bag unfolds. A bagging device may be fitted with running gear and / or may be pulled forward by a vehicle, such as a tractor, as the bag is filled.

[0039] In the claims, the word "comprising" is used in its inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles "a" and "an"
before a claim feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of the individual features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue only of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as defined by the claims.

Claims (20)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A method comprising:
mounting a structural tunnel frame to a crop bagging device, the structural tunnel frame being pre-loaded with a tubular bag, which is in a folded state encircling an outer peripheral surface of the structural tunnel frame;
supplying a crop from the crop bagging device into the tubular bag; and feeding the tubular bag from the structural tunnel frame as the tubular bag fills with the crop.

2. The method of claim 1 in which:
the crop bagging device has a tunnel shroud that defines a crop discharge end of the crop bagging device; and mounting comprises sliding the structural tunnel frame over an outer peripheral surface of the tunnel shroud.

3. The method of claim 2 in which the structural tunnel frame is sized and structured to hold the tubular bag, when in the folded state, in a conformation where a crop conduit, defined by structural tunnel frame or the structural tunnel frame and the tubular bag, has sufficient minimum dimensions to permit the structural tunnel frame to be slid in an axial direction over the tunnel shroud without the tubular bag catching on the tunnel shroud.

4. The method of any one of claim 1 - 3 in which the structural tunnel frame comprises a network of frame members that support a frame tunnel shroud.

5. The method of claim 4 in which the outer peripheral surface, of the structural tunnel frame, is defined by the frame tunnel shroud.

6. The method of claim 5 in which the frame tunnel shroud comprises a sheet of metal.

7. The method of any one of claim 1 - 6 in which the structural tunnel frame is tubular in shape.

8. The method of any one of claim 1 - 7 in which the tubular bag is secured to the outer peripheral surface of the structural tunnel frame via a strap.

9. The method of any one of claim 1 - 8 in which mounting is carried out using a lifting device.

10. The method of claim 9 in which the lifting device comprises a forklift, and in which during mounting, forklift tines of the forklift are positioned within forklift-tine-receiving passages of the structural tunnel frame.

11. The method of claim 9 in which the lifting device comprises a crane.

12. The method of any one of claim 1 - 11 in which the tubular bag, when in the folded state, is folded in an accordion fashion.

13. The method of any one of claim 1 - 12 in which the structural tunnel frame comprises a base platform, which is spaced below a base part of the outer peripheral surface, of the structural tunnel frame, to define a tubular bag receiving cavity between the base platform and the base part.

14. The method of any one of claim 1 - 13 further comprising, after filling the tubular bag, removing the tubular bag from the structural tunnel frame.

15. The method of any one of claim 1 - 14 further comprising demounting the structural tunnel frame from the crop bagging device.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising, after demounting:
mounting the structural tunnel frame or a second structural tunnel frame to a crop bagging device, the structural tunnel frame or second tubular structural being pre-loaded with a second tubular bag, which is in a folded state encircling an outer peripheral surface of the structural tunnel frame or second structural tunnel frame;
supplying a crop from the crop bagging device into the second tubular bag; and feeding the second tubular bag from the structural tunnel frame or second structural tunnel frame as the second tubular bag fills with the crop.

17. The method of any one of claim 1 - 16 further comprising, prior to mounting, pre-loading the tubular bag onto the outer peripheral surface of the structural tunnel frame.

18. The method of any one of claim 1 - 17 further comprising securing the structural tunnel frame to the crop bagging device.

19. An apparatus comprising:
a structural tunnel frame defining a crop-bagging-device-tunnel-shroud-receiving interior that extends between a crop supply open end of the structural tunnel frame to a crop discharge open end of the structural tunnel frame; and a tubular bag, which is supported in a folded state encircling an outer peripheral surface of the structural tunnel frame.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 in which the structural tunnel frame comprises a pair of parts that are spaced and structured to define forklift-tine-receiving passages.