The economic losses caused by collision damages during mechanical potato harvesting are significant. In this study, the simulation analysis method was used to investigate the factors affecting these mechanical damages. Taking the typical early maturing potato variety Zaodabai as an example, our test results indicated that its elastic modulus is 3.148 MPa, Poisson's ratio is 0.45, and biological yield stress is 1.183 MPa. An accurate three-dimensional potato model was created using reverse engineering technology. On this basis, the effects of drop height, collision mode, and collision material on the mechanical potato damage were investigated using finite element analysis. The results indicated that the potato damage characteristics become more evident as the drop height increased.Analyzing the collision mode of mechanized potato harvesting revealed that the potato damage degree is the lowest in the double-rod long axis collision mode. The collision damage degree between a potato and four common collision materials was determined from highest to lowest as follows: 65 Mn rod, 65 Mn rubber-coated rod, potato, and soil. This research provides a data basis and reference for the design and development of potato harvester equipment, particularly for low-damage potato harvesters. Practical applicationsAs the fourth largest food crop in the world, potatoes have high economic value and are of great importance for food security. Collision damage in mechanized harvesting seriously reduces the quality and value of potatoes and causes large economic losses.Therefore, we aim to clarify the key factors affecting collision damage in mechanized harvesting. The influence of motion mode, collision height, collision method, and collision material on potato damage characteristics was investigated through simulation experiments. This study provides a data basis and reference methods for developing key components of high-performance and low-damage potato harvesters and serves as a reference for researching damage characteristics of other tuber, root, and bulb crops.