Abstract: The mechanization level of peanut harvesting is lower than those of other crops, and it is concluded that the loss rate is higher, the reliability is worse and utilization efficiency is lower, through investigation and analyses of the mechanized harvesters for peanut at present in China. Three types of peanut harvesters, i.e., 4H-2, 4HW-700 and 4HW-800 peanut harvesters were selected as research objects. Through comparative field experiment on the performances of the three types of peanut harvesters, the dominant factors including total loss rate, soil content and fuel consumption per hour, which control peanut harvesting targets, were analyzed. Experimental results prove that the performance of 4H-2 type peanut harvester is superior to those of the 4HW-700 and 4HW-800 peanut harvesters. The results of comparative test and the analyses of the three types of peanut harvesters, provide the basis for theoretical research and optimized design of peanut harvesters, and also offer new methods for research and development of peanut combine harvesters. Moreover, the study provides better references for popularization and application of these kinds of peanut harvesters