Combining　synergistically　the　muscle-like　actuation　of　soft　materials　and　load-carrying　and　locomotive　capability　of　hard　mechanical　components　results　in　hybrid　soft　machines　that　can　exhibit　specific　functions.　Here,　we　describe　the　design,　fabrication,　modeling　and　experiment　of　a　hybrid　soft　machine　enabled　by　marrying　unidirectionally　actuated　dielectric　elastomer　(DE)　membrane-spring　system　and　ratchet　wheels.　Subjected　to　an　applied　voltage　8.2　kV　at　ramping　velocity　820　V/s,　the　hybrid　machine　prototype　exhibits　monotonic　uni-axial　locomotion　with　an　averaged　velocity　0.5mm/s.　The　underlying　physics　and　working　mechanisms　of　the　soft　machine　are　verified　and　elucidated　by　finite　element　simulation.　(C)　2017　Author(s).