In order to take advantage of the characteristics of growth and maturity of rape, overcome the disadvantage of high loss ratio and power consumptive of rape combine harvester, 4SY-1.8 type rape windrower was investigated. The novel windrower was designed for matching to walking tractor to meet both agro-mechanization and rape planting actuality in southern China. The design and construction characteristics of cutting, dividing, laying and hitching unit and considerations in the migration of rape stalks were analyzed. The results of field experiment showed that the windrower could complete the work of middle dividing and laying on both sides efficiently. The mean laying angle of rape stalk was 36.4°, which was less than 45°with 75.8% probability. The mean width of the piled stalk was 1072.6mm, which was less than 1150mm with 81.1% probability. The mean of stubble height was 278.2mm, which was between 230mm and 330mm with 85.2% probability. The test results indicated that it had a rational design and reliable function and its working quality can be easily met the agricultural requirement.