A sod harvester with a start gate, a first switch that is configured to interact with a first sensor, a second switch that is configured to interact with a second sensor, an inclined conveyor; a rollup conveyor positioned above an end of the inclined conveyor, and a controller including controller software that is configured to cause the rollup conveyor to start upon activation of the second sensor, a timer to begin counting time upon activation of the first sensor, and the rollup conveyor to stop upon the counting of a certain amount of time by the timer. The first switch is positioned between the start gate and the second switch, and the second switch is positioned between the first switch and the rollup conveyor. The inclined conveyor is configured to eject a sod roll onto a platform upon cessation of rotation by the rollup conveyor.