Abstract: In order to quickly and reliably measure the cutting resistance and power dissipation of the cutter under no-load, a reciprocating cutter of cotton stalk was taken as an object of simulation and experiment. It was driven by deflection crank-connecting rod mechanism, its virtual prototype was designed by Solid Works and dynamic simulation was studied under no-load using ADAMS. An experimental analysis of cutting peak resistance and vibrating force on frame was made using response surface methodology based on simulation data. Results showed that the cutting peak resistance and vibrating force on frame was the minimum when average cutting speed of cutter knife was 0.8 m/s, clump weight was 1.5 kg, and set on 170° lagging behind crank position. The minimum values were 450 and 380 N. The experimental researches on changes of the cutting resistance with the average cutter cutting speed under no-load were made on the developed reciprocating cotton cutting test-bed, their results were compared with simulation data. Results showed that the relative error of cutting peak resistance and vibrating force on frame between the simulation and experimental data was 7% and 7.7%, respectively. The simulation result was reliable and could be regarded as a reference for restituting the experimental data. This research provides a design reference for development of low power consumption cutting harvesting equipment.