Abstract: Traditional collecting methods of lotus root are mainly artificial shovel digging and water punching，with bad working environment，high labor intensity，low production efficiency and high cost of labor，which seriously restricts development of lotus root industry.Research and development of labor-saving and efficient lotus harvesting machinery is fundamental way to promote industrial scale development.On basis of summarizing research status of lotus harvesting technology at home and abroad，structural principles，functional characteristics and shortcomings of existing lotus digging machinery were expounded.At the same time，according to planting environment，growth cycle and distribution characteristics of lotus root in the Yellow River Delta，an intelligent，labor-saving and efficient self-walking lotus root digging machine suitable for lotus root planting pattern in the Yellow River Delta region was put forward.This machine is development direction of lotus root collecting machinery in this area.