Abstract: In view of the rapid development of high-yield and high-efficiency coal mining in medium-thick and thin coal seams in recent years, summarized the characteristics of several typical shearers used in thick and thin hard coal seams, complex working conditions in thin coal seams, and extremely thin coal seams with a mining height of 0.9 m; analyzed the key technologies of rocker arm hard rock cutting, high reliability traction and efficient intelligent control, which are widely used in medium and thin seam shearer; prospected the technical development direction of medium and thin seam shearer; some references are provided for the selection of shearer equipment and the direction of technological research and development of shearer.