[Objective] Recently, the interest in jatropha seeds has increased due to its high oil content. In order to study the mechanical characteristics of jatropha seeds, in this study, single factor tests, orthogonal tests were used.[Methods] Experimental factors were moisture content (MC)(7.11%~39.23%), loading speed(LS) (5~40mm/min) and loading direction(LD)(X,Y,Z) while investigated responses were shell-breaking force(SBF), shell-breaking deformation(SBD), energy consumption(EC) and comprehensive evaluation(CE) The order of strength of the factors affecting the loading process and the best combination of the experimental factors when pressing jatropha seeds were determined to obtain through optimizing operating conditions. [Results] The orthogonal test and variance analysis demonstrated that the primary factor influencing the shell-breaking process was LD, followed the LS and MC. The best values of factors were found to be LS of 17.48 mm/min with LD of Y for the MC of 15.44% and LS of 5mm/min with LD of X for the MC of 15.75% and the CE are obtained at 0.807 for Y and 0.603 for X, respectively. [Conclusion] This study provides a theoretical basis for further study on equipment and technology for jatropha seeds.