The invention provides a shield tunneling machine propelling system. According to the shield tunneling machine propelling system, the number of jacks in the same set can be changed randomly, adjustment of an advancing track of the propelling system is more flexible, the returning speed is also further increased, and the propelling requirement of an existing shield tunneling machine is met; throughusing of three-position three-way valves, posture adjustment and safety protection can be achieved during advancing of the shield tunneling machine; and independent control of each jack can be further achieved during segment assembling so as to ensure successful assembling of segments, thus the returning speed is also further increased, and the propelling requirement of the existing shield tunneling machine is met.