Abstract: A sod harvesting apparatus is provided a means for locomotion, a means for cutting sod into strips and curling it into rolls, and means for stacking the sod rolls onto an awaiting pallet. The apparatus includes a frame which supports orthogonal axes. A conveyor assembly is mounted on the x-axis, and transports sod rolls placed thereon to a mechanical hand unit. The x-axis provides the conveyor assembly with one-dimensional translation with respect to the frame. The mechanical hand unit, which is attached to the conveyor assembly, is capable of one-dimensional translation along the x-axis with respect to the conveyor assembly. The mechanical hand unit is rotatably mounted onto the x-axis so that it can place a sod roll in any desired orientation onto the pallet. The mechanical hand unit lifts the sod roll off the conveyor assembly and transports the roll to an awaiting pallet. The pallet is supported by a z-axis assembly, which is comprised of a plurality of forks and a lift mechanism.