I can load it with 9 balls now. The feeder is driven by a disco ball motor (slow and with sufficient torque), with a kind of 3/4 circle wedge to push 1 ball through at a time. The wedge isn't circular, it's kind of bigger at one end so as to help block the next ball until it's needed. I didn't run it with the throwing wheel on, because this is in my kitchen! I just wanted to focus on the feeder this morning.