Abstract: In allusion to the issues of low efficiency in cutting coal partings using thin coal layer shearer, a new ladder drum is put forward. And for the analysis of cutting performance about the new ladder drum, a simulation study of coal and rock cutting between traditional drum and the ladder drum with LS-DYNA is carried out, in this research, the analysis object is the cutting and feed torque of traditional drum and ladder drum while cutting coal and rock. Research results show that the cutting and feed torque of ladder drum is less than traditional drum when cutting coal and rock under the same cutting efficiency, but except the first knife, which indicates that cutting performance of the ladder drum is better than traditional drum and provides a reference for the design of new type shearer drum.