[Derek Bessette]

I know you said it is "out of the question". However, my vote would still be with adding an agitator. The programming is only a few lines of code and the wiring is not that big a deal. We were able to implement an agitator at the end of the build season in a matter of a couple hours. It has worked great for us. We initially tried making channels for the balls to flow through, but this just moved the ball jam to a new location. We used a van door motor with a piece of 3/4" square tubing attached to the output shaft. We then covered it with a poof noodle to keep from damaging the balls.

If you are really certain that you cannot go with an agitator then definitely go with option 2. The balls jams will get moved to the inlet of the channel at the top, but if you only keep 1 to 2 balls up there you should be OK.

Good luck!