Abstract: Considering that the conventional chain safety factor is calculated according to the external load of two chains,and the actual situation is that the load of two chains is uneven,this paper studies the calculation method of the operation resistance of scraper conveyor based on the material distribution characteristics. The frictional resistance of the coal material and the bottom of the central trough,frictional resistance of the coal material and the retaining plate, and the frictional resistance of the moving coal material and the static material on the wall side are deduced theoreti- cally. The calculation formula of the running resistance of the scraper and chain is obtained under different load condi- tions. Based on the simulation test rig of fully mechanized complete sets of equipment constructed by National Energy Agency Research and Development (experimental) Center,this paper investigates the operating resistance calculation method on the basis of the material distribution characteristics. The research results show that the computational meth- od and the error of experimental data are within the allowable range. In this paper,the calculation method of the oper- ating resistance of scraper conveyor based on the material distribution characteristics provides the basis for the chain life prediction and the safety factor calculation under the influence of offset load.