In order to study mechanical characteristics of rocker shell in shearer walking process under instantaneous load, transient dynamics and modal analysis of rocker shell of shearer were carried out in combination with actual working condition of a certain type shearer. The results show that stress at intersection of gear transmission box and motor box, and intersection of planetary head and gear transmission box on the rocker shell is larger, which exceeds yield limit of rocker shell material, so the two intersections are weak parts of the rocker shell. In the first 6-order modal shape, the maximum amplitude occurs at the planetary head. The analysis results can provide theoretical basis for optimal design of the rocker shell.