Hoe-opener assembly

A hoe-opener assembly configured to be drawn behind an agricultural implement having a tool bar, comprising:

• a framework extending rearwardly of said tool bar;
• link means operatively connecting said framework to said tool bar and providing a movable connection therebetween, for allowing the framework to be raised and lowered relative to the ground;
• a plurality of hoe-openers mounted on said framework in spaced-apart relation to each other for forming a corresponding plurality of spaced-apart furrows, each one of said plural hoe-openers including means pivotally connecting said one hoe-opener to said framework, with associated biasing-spring means provided configured to oppose substantial pivotal movement of said one hoe-opener relative to said framework, the biasing-spring means substantially fixing its associated hoe-opener against independent movement relative to said framework;
• ground-contacting wheeled means for spacing the framework a preselected distance above the ground, said wheeled means comprising a plurality of laterally-spaced ground-contacting press wheels mounted on said framework such that each said press wheel is substantially longitudinally alligned with a corresponding respective one of said plurality of hoe-openers for substantially closing each said one of the plural furrows formed therebetween;
• jackscrew means adjustably connected to said framework for adjusting the depth of penetration of said plural hoe-openers into the ground;
• wherein the wheeled means further comprises a press-wheel support means pivotally joined to said framework and extending rearwardly therefrom, and said hoe-opener assembly has a longitudinal axis extending rearwardly of said tool bar,
• said framework comprising a horizontally-disposed lattice extending rearwardly of said tool bar and centered substantially along said hoe-opener assembly longitudinal axis, said lattice and said tool bar together carrying a multiplicity of ball-and-socket joint means for allowing the lattice to twist about said hoe-opener assembly longitudinal axis relative to said tool bar for accordingly allowing substantially all of said press wheels to remain in contact with the ground.