The dynamic characteristics of MG500/1180-WD shearer’s rocker arm were studied aiming at the problem of its poor reliability under cutting loads. The simplified finite element (FE) model for the arm was established and its natural frequencies and main modal shapes were obtained with modal analysis. Modal analysis showed that the main vibration modes of the arm are bending-torsional vibration of planet head and motor shell. Through test modal analysis, taking its natural frequencies as the judgement index, the FE model was validated. Choosing 5 design variables including motor shell’s wall thickness, etc., the variation law of the arm’s natural frequencies with the design variables was studied. Harmonic response analysis for the arm was conducted under the condition of heavy cutting loads, and the vibration responses of the arm were calculated. The results showed that the thickness of old pond side wall in the middle of the arm is the key factor influencing the arm’s natural characteristics; the arm’s dynamic stresses are larger under loads with double of the planet’s 1st frequency, double of the spur gear’s 1st one, double of the spur gear’s 2nd one, and the 8th natural frequency; the arm’s elastic vibration mainly has features of its 1st and 3rd modal shapes to cause stress concentration at the arm hinge ear; the analysis results provide a reference for the optimal design and reliability analysis of a shearer’s rocker arm.