Precision hoe opener with swing link between cylinder and shank

Abstract

A precision hoe opener assembly is provided with improved accuracy of seeding as well as improved control over the opener and packer wheel assemblies. The opener assembly includes a hydraulically-driven parallel linkage assembly, a lost motion linkage, a hoe opener, and a packer wheel. The design provides improved seeding accuracy, by adjusting assembly components to and compensating for changes in terrain elevation.

1 . An agricultural system comprising:
 a support structure comprising a parallel linkage assembly and a linear actuator;   a packer wheel assembly extending from the parallel linkage assembly, wherein the parallel linkage assembly is configured to maintain a constant orientation of the packer wheel assembly with respect to the ground;   a ground engaging assembly coupled to the support structure; and   a lost motion linkage coupled to the linear actuator, wherein the lost motion linkage is cooperatively contacting the support structure to raise the ground engaging assembly after movement of the lost motion linkage through a desired angular range.