A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end, the chute being configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A ram assembly has a ram member configured to drive the compressed blowing wool from the bag toward the outlet end of the chute while maintaining the bag in a relatively fixed position with respect to the chute. A shredder is mounted at the outlet end of the chute and configured to pick apart the compressed blowing wool. A rotary valve distributes the blowing wool into an airstream.