Abstract: With the development of tunnel construction, the problems of complex geology, complex environments and lack of labour force are gradually becoming stricking. Pre-cutting is a unique technology which lies between mining bored shallow tunneling and shield tunneling. It can be developed to be a new construction technique combined with shallow mining bored tunneling to deal with complex geology and environments so as to significantly improve the mechanization level of tunnel construction and control subsidence more effectively. The composition of machines, principles to control deformation and key points in application are addressed in the paper.