In order to improve the working efficiency of potato harvester,a hydraulic drive system of potato-soil separation device was designed.Based on the operating characteristics of the hydraulic drive system of potato-soil separation device,the pressure and flow characteristics of the hydraulic drive system were analyzed under the condi-tion of rotation speed of 1500r/min by tractor engine.The results showed that the potato-soil separation device worked stably without blockage when the hydraulic drive system pressure was 8MPa.When the system pressure reached 10MPa,the potato-soil separation started to block.When the system pressure exceeded 12Mpa,the potato-soil separation device stopped working with serious blockage.The results of the study provided a theoretical basis for the research of adjustment method for rotation speed of potato-soil sepa-ration device.