Abstract: In allusion to problems that current roadheader uses single transverse roadheader or longitudinal roadheader and is difficult to adapt to excavation work of different rocks, the paper proposed an interchangeability design scheme of cutting arms of roadheader facing to different rocks, and analyzed different structural features and performances of transverse roadheader and longitudinal roadheader. According to operating modes of the two cutting arms, corresponding cutting reducers were designed. Solidworks simulation result showed that compared to the single transverse roadheader or longitudinal roadheader, roadheader with interchangeable cutting arms has better adaptability to excavation work of different rocks, higher excavation efficiency and lower cost.