Patent ID: 6997194

Claim:
A method for harvesting comprising, in combination, the steps of: providing a self-propelled harvester comprising, in combination: a conveyor belt transported on a plurality of wheels; a washing station positioned over a portion of said conveyor belt; an elevator belt assembly proximate said washing station and adapted to transport produce from an exit point from said washing station in an upward direction to be loaded onto a trailer; wherein said elevator belt assembly is provided with: two side belts; a plurality of rods with adjustable intervals therebetween, the said rods are extended between said side belts; and a plurality of flights with adjustable intervals therebetween, wherein each said flight is coupled to one said rod and wherein the number of said rods is greater than the number of said flights, so that some said rods do not have any said flight coupled thereto; adjusting intervals between the rods and the flights to accommodate said produce propelling said harvester through a field to be harvested; harvesting said produce; placing said produce on said conveyor belt; passing said produce through said washing station; transporting said produce from said washing station to said elevator belt assembly; elevating said produce on said elevator belt assembly; removing debris from around the produce through said plurality of rods of said elevator belt assembly; and outputting said produce from said elevator belt assembly into a trailer.