Abstract: The stone trap of the present invention is used in cooperation with the crop elevator of a threshing and separating machine. The crop elevator has an opening positioned in its bottom wall along the path of the incoming crop material. A pivotally mounted door is positioned above the opening. A lip is rigidly mounted around the periphery of the opening and extends below the crop elevator. This lip maintains the door in a closed position until the door has moved through a predetermined distance. The movement of the door is determined by the operation of a controlling means mounted to both the door and the crop elevator and a force exerting means operably associated with the controlling means.