Taking a tangential-axial combine harvester as a research object, a fuzzy adaptive control system of forward speed based on model reference was put forward, and the multivariate fusion reference models under adaptive control and the fuzzy control rules were established. Then, the control device of forward speed for the combine harvester was developed, and the field harvesting tests of rice were made to verify the feasibility of the device. The results proved that the model reference fuzzy adaptive control system could implement the adaptive control function of the forward speed for the combine harvester compared with the ordinary fuzzy control system, which effectively reduced the labor strength and increased the harvesting efficiency.