To improve net picking rate of spring-tooth type retrieving machine for film residue from whole plastic film mulching double ridges in arid land, number of cutting film teeth, buried depth of cutting film teeth, diameter and number of collecting film teeth were used as experimental factors and net picking rate as experimental indicator to conduct single factor experiment, based on which, number of cutting film teeth, buried depth of cutting film teeth and diameter of collecting film teeth which have significant effect on net picking rate were chose to conduct three-level orthogonal experiment. The experimental data was analyzed by range analysis to determine the best working performance parameters of the retrieving machine. The results of the orthogonal experiment showed when the number of cutting film teeth was 4, the buried depth of cutting film teeth was 50 mm and diameter combination of front, middle and back collecting film teeth was 10, 8 and 6 mm respectively, the highest net picking rate of 93.6% was obtained. The results of replicated experiments showed the net picking rate was 93.4% (>75%) which met operating quality requirements of recycling plastic film.