A cutting head and support arms for mining, for example, for high wall mining, provides a modular design and includes a pair of support arms, a head shaft extending between and outside of each of the support arms, a central and outer drums about the head shaft, and a set of removable struts attached between the support arms. The struts can be removed so that the support arms can be separated for easier access to the drums and head shaft and other components. Further, the support arms are of several laminate layers, which can be separated for ready maintenance, particularly for components at or near the outside ends of the cutting head and support arms, or within or about the support arms.