AbstractThe joint surface of the preloaded structure of the hydraulic rod in a shearer is prone to bending and slitting. In this study, to systematically evaluate this phenomenon, critical load characterization parameters of the hydraulic rod are first determined based on its critical load, preload, working load, and residual preload. A critical load equation of the hydraulic rod is further established based on the principle of compatibility of small deformation. Finally, the integral solution method is used to solve the load equation of the hydraulic rod of the shearer by combining the deflection and rotation equation of the fuselage and the hydraulic rod on the upper side of the coal wall to obtain the deformation and load value of the hydraulic rod. The results show that the maximum load applied on the upper hydraulic rod on the coal wall, lower hydraulic rod on the coal wall, lower hydraulic rod on the gob side, and upper hydraulic rod on the gob side are 538.15, 500.3, 445.95, and 375.15 kN, respectively. The corresponding maximum deformation of the upper hydraulic rod on the coal wall, lower hydraulic rod on the coal wall, and lower hydraulic rod on the gob side are 2.4696, 1.653, and 0.9652 mm, respectively. Compressive deformation occurred on the upper hydraulic rod on the gob side with a magnitude of −1.6346 mm. Results of numerical calculations agree well with instantaneous measurements of the load in the hydraulic rod in a shearer using wireless sensing technology. The maximum error between the calculation and measurement is less than 4%, thus validating the accuracy of the proposed load model. Using the proposed load model, we further analyzed the load characteristics of the hydraulic rod under straight cutting working conditions with different pitch and roll angles. Our findings provide an important basis for understanding the load characteristics of the entire shearer, optimizing the structure of the hydraulic rod, and improving the lifetime of the shearer.