This paper studies the application effect of small diameter shield machine ( EQS3530 ) in the rapid excavation of high drainage roadway in Huayang No.1 Coal Mine. Aiming at the problem of low efficiency of traditional tunneling methods, the tunneling speed of rock roadway is significantly improved by introducing small-diameter shield machine and optimizing tunneling process. The test shows that the daily tunneling scale of the shield machine is more than 10 m, up to 26 m/d, and the single tunneling efficiency is 7 times that of the traditional blasting technology and 2 ~ 3 times that of the original EBZ-260 roadheader. The excavation section is regular, the support cost is reduced, and the economic benefit is remarkable.