Abstract: In order to solve the problems of low quality of well-cellars and poor adaptability of machine in the current well-cellars transplanting on film in hilly tobacco areas, an intermittent operation cellar machine was designed. The kinematics simulation was carried out by Adams, and the trajectory of the hole-opener was obtained. According to the agronomic requirements, the key components such as the hole-opener and the lifting mechanism were designed and analyzed. A continuous operation cellar machine in hilly tobacco areas was selected for comparative test of transplanting. The operation effect of the machine was determined by detecting the well-cellars quality, cellar spacing uniformity, longitudinal tear film size and line straightness deviation. The results show that compared with the continuous operation cellar machine, the qualified rate of cellar diameter and the qualified rate of cellar depth of the intermittent operation cellar machine are 1.7% and 3.4% higher, respectively. The variance of cellar uprightness is 1.33 lower than that of the continuous operation cellar machine, and the hole forming quality is better. The coefficient of variation of hole spacing and the longitudinal tear film size of the intermittent operation type cellar machine were 1.03% and 4.7 mm lower than those of the continuous operation cellar machine, respectively, which indicated that the hole spacing uniformity of the intermittent operation cellar machine was good and the damage degree to the plastic film was small. The difference between the line straightness deviation is small. In summary, the intermittent operation cellar machine can better complete the production of well-cellars in hilly areas. the intermittent operation cellar machine meets the agronomic requirements of well-cellars production in hilly tobacco areas.