A flail element (10) for use on a vegetation cutting machine comprising a mounting formation (14) at one end thereof to enable the element (10) to be pivotally mounted on a shaft (34) mounting of a cutting machine, a cutting head (16) at the other end thereof to enable it to cut vegetation and a cushioning part (18) arranged between the mounting formation (14) and the cutting head (16) to cushion the element (10) against impacts with a shaft (34) of a cutting machine.A shaft (34) for a vegetation cutting machine comprising a mounting feature (36) arranged thereon for mounting a cutting element (10) and a cushioning member (28,30) arranged on the shaft (34) adjacent the mounting feature (36).
