In order to lift sugarcane in harvesting, the whole stalk sugarcane harvester was designed. Virtual prototyping and key parts of the sugarcane harvester were simulated in PRO/E and ADAMS. The virtual experiment was conducted in order to study the lifting device, cutting device, gripping conveyor, laying transmission device and cleaning device, and to analyze the flow in various parts of the sugarcane harvester. A high-speed photography experiment was carried out to analyze lifter and gripping conveyor. The field experiment was validated. Virtual results showed that the virtual prototype could smoothly lift, cut, clamp, lay and clean. Reference value was provided for physical prototype in manufacture. 