Abstract: To solve problems of high labor intensity and safety risks of clamp loading tobacco leaf, based on structure of dense baking room and technical requirements of tobacco leaf curing, a chain side-lifting tobacco loading machine was designed, which was composed of power chassis, tobacco leaf folder lifting device, operating console lifting device and control system．Through analyzing process of tobacco leaf loading, chain lifting mechanism and screw operating console lifting mechanism were designed to determain structural parameters．Intersection angle between tobacco leaf clamp lifting mechanism and wall of dense baking room was 35°, which could avoid scratching of tobacco leaf during lifting．Through prototyping testing, results showed that designed machine could realize loading middle and upper tobacco leaves, reduce labor intensity, improve operational safety, and provide foundation for development and optimization of subsequent tobacco loading equipment．