Hardness of polar ice has important significance for designing and using of antitorque system of armored cable-suspended electromechanical drill. By analyzing the physical properties of polar ice sheet and hardness testing principle, designed a set of hardness test stand which can measure the hardness of ice in cold conditions. This test stand was formed by low freezer, hardness test rig and data acquisition and control system. The data acquisition and control system was placed in normal temperature environments to reduce the low temperature requirements for electronic components. The test stand can measure the force applied on hardness head and penetration depth by sensors. The preliminary experiments for this test stand showed that the test stand was in good working condition, and can measure the hardness of polar ice in low temperature condition.