Abstract: In order to get vibration characteristics of cutting arm of continuous miner in working condition, the optimized sensor disposition was done taking results of the modal movement energy as main reference and results of modal strain energy as auxiliary reference. Vibration acceleration signals of cutting arm were collected by the sensor, and time-domain analysis and frequency-domain analysis of the signal were done. And the distribution of vibration characteristics and frequency-band energy was obtained. It provides a theoretical basis for further optimization of structural design and fault diagnosis of continuous miner.