In order to solve the obvious problems such as low mechanization, slow harvest speed and high labor intensity of Raphanus sativus harvesting in Northeast China, the natural growth characteristics of Raphanus sativus were analyzed by mathematical statistics method. The related data of diameter, quality, length of edible root and distribution range of buried depth under edible root soil were obtained, which provided a necessary theoretical basis for the design of Raphanus sativus harvester. The excavation mechanism of the Raphanus sativus harvester was analyzed, and the mechanical model of the digging shovel was established. The relationship curve of excavation friction and resistance with the dip angle of digging shovel surface were obtained, which provided a theoretical basis for the inclination angle design of the digging shovel. The structure of digging shovel was analyzed and designed from the angles spacing of shovel handle, length of shovel, depth of soil entry, width of shovel face and angle of shovel edge,which provided technical reserve for the development of Raphanus sativus harvester.