Petrochemical axle works under complex stresses of bigger impulsive force and alternate loading，which is needed to have a good integrated mechanical performance. 4Cr16Mo possesses high hardness, wear and resistance of impulsive force，which can meet the requirements of petrochemical axle. But，for the poor plasticity, high resistance of transmutation and narrow range of forging temperature, it is hard to be  forged. Through summing up and analyzing the puzzles in practice, the forging process was optimized: the forging temperature was 800-1150 ℃，with slowly heating during the low temperature. The upper flat and lower V anvils  were adopted, and the transmutation was controlled accurately. Small transmutation was commanded in high temperature, and rigidly controlled the annealing after forging and heat treatment. Finally，the axle cracking was gradually reduced and the good quality was received in the productive practice.