Purpose <p>Soybeans are an essential economic crop in China, and mechanized harvesting significantly enhances production efficiency and quality. This study aims to review the key technologies and intelligent applications in soybean mechanized harvesting, evaluating historical developments, current advancements, and future directions. The paper emphasizes the importance of mechanized harvesting for soybean production and provides a comprehensive analysis of technological innovations that support the soybean industry’s sustainable development.</p> Methods <p>This review systematically examines global and Chinese developments in soybean harvesting machinery, covering areas such as combine harvester headers, soybean threshing and cleaning technologies, grain transportation mechanisms, and quality detection and control systems. The literature was sourced from a variety of databases to ensure comprehensive coverage of advancements in both domestic and international contexts.</p> Results <p>The findings highlight that recent advancements in intelligent harvesting systems—such as automatic navigation, adjustable header height, intelligent threshing, and yield and moisture monitoring—have optimized the soybean harvesting process, enhancing both precision and efficiency. However, despite these improvements, high initial costs and economic constraints have limited the widespread adoption of mechanized soybean harvesting equipment among Chinese farmers.</p> Conclusion <p>Overcoming these barriers through technological advancements and policy support is essential to addressing labor shortages and boosting operational efficiency. Future efforts should prioritize the enhancement of harvesting efficiency, reduction of losses, promotion of environmental sustainability, and adaptation to changing environmental conditions. The integration of intelligent technologies in soybean harvesting will be crucial for achieving comprehensive upgrades and sustainable development within the soybean industry.</p>