Strafing pit conditioning apparatus with magnetic sweeper

Claim 1

Ground conditioning means for maintaining the strafing pit area of an aircraft gunnery range in good condition for target practice with reduced risk of projectile ricochet during such practice, comprising: crawler tractor means; magnetic sweeper means carried by the crawler tractor means including an electromagnetic extending crosswise of the path of movement of said crawler tractor means, support means for holding the electromgnet above the ground surface and control means operable by the tractor operator for adjusting the distance of the electromagnet above the ground to a desired level for recovering spent projectiles from a strafing pit area being traversed by said crawler tractor means; ground breaking means pivotally supported on the crawler tractor means for penetrating and loosening the earth in said strafing pit area; power means on said crawler tractor means for raising and lowering the ground breaking means; rock rake means on said crawler tractor means having a plurality of tines pointing in the direction of movement of the crawler tractor means and angled to rake the ground surface, pick up rocks therefrom, and convey the rocks away from the strafing pit area when the crawler tractor means is in operation; and drag means comprising a relatively heavy crossbar positioned crosswise of the path of travel of said crawler tractor means and suspension means for supporting said crossbar on said ground conditioning means at a level to ride in contact with the ground during operation of said ground conditioning means; whereby the ground conditioning means simultaneously digs into and softens the earth in a strafing pit area and leaves it substantially free of any rocks and spent projectiles from prior aircraft target practice runs which could cause projectiles to ricochet into the flight paths of future aircraft performing such runs.