Abstract: An apparatus for cutting vegetation wherein at least one line member protrudes exteriorly of the sidewall of a housing which is rotatable about a rotating axis. The line member is a tape and is wound upon a spool, which is mounted within the housing so that the width, which is greater than the thickness, is perpendicular to the plane of the spool. The flat tape line member is formed of a flexible band of material which extends exteriorly of the housing in a trailing position. Cutting apparatus are incorporated to effect cut off of the line member during rotation of the housing and dispensing apparatus are provided to extend additional line member a controlled increment of length during rotation of the housing. The cutting apparatus is provided to cut off the excess end of the worn or broken line member. A clamping device clamps the line member to the housing when it is not rotating to prevent retraction of the line member into the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting vegetation wherein at least one line member protrudes exteriorly of the sidewall of a housing which is rotatable about a rotating axis. The line member is a tape and is wound upon a spool, which is mounted within the housing so that the width, which is greater than the thickness, is perpendicular to the plane of the spool. The flat tape line member is formed of a flexible band of material which extends exteriorly of the housing in a trailing position. Cutting means are incorporated to effect cut off of the line member during rotation of the housing and dispensing means are provided to extend additional line member a controlled increment of length during rotation of the housing. The cutting means is provided to cut off the excess end of the worn or broken line member. A clamping device clamps the line member to the housing when it is not rotating to prevent retraction of the line member into the housing.