PURPOSE: To prevent tape break at an automatic loading time from generating by detecting the running time of a leader tape to stop a tape feeding roller operation after a prescribed time elapse.

CONSTITUTION: When solenoid 34 is excited and a leader tape connected to the beginning of a tape is sent out by tape feeding roller 4, a timer roller is rotated by the leader tape to apply rotation pulses and timer roller rotation direction signals to circuit 28, and rotation pulses are counted by counter 30. When this counted value agrees with the set value of data circuit 31 corresponding to the running quantity till a time when the leader tape in held between the capstan and the pinch roller, the FF is set by the agreement outout of counter 30, and solenoid 34 is demagnetized through NAND circuit 33, and sending is switched from roller 4 to the capstan during the time when the leader tape is left, thereby winding the tape around the winding reel without generation of tape break.