In order to optimize the front-mounted rape windrower which has a complicated structure with many motor units and long power transmission line, a new set of hydraulic driving system was developed for the working units of 4SY-1.8 rape windrower. The results of calibration experiment and field test indicated that the working performance of the driving system was stable and reliable, the real-time adjustment of the speed for each motor units was realized, and the windrower with this system could meet different requirements of different planting patterns of rape. Moreover, rape could be windrowed neatly and orderly. Thus, the adaptability of rape windrower was efficiently improved. The power consumption of each motor unitswas measured by using the system under the conditions of no-load tests and field tests. In the no-load experimens, the power consumption of longitudinal transportation unit was less than 0.1 kW, the power consumption of the transverse belt unit was 0.89 kW, and the power consumption of cutterbar and reel was 1.2 kW. In the field experiments on the efficient operational performance, the power consumption of longitudinal transportation unit was less than 0.3 kW, the power consumption of transverse belt unit was 1.86 kW, the power consumption of cutterbar and reel was 2.35 kW. The results would provide references for further improvement and optimization of the hydraulic driving system.