An adjustable spring loading mechanism for use in controlling the movement of doors and the like. The mechanism includes a cylinder housing and a piston slideable within the housing. A plurality of biasing means are arranged in the housing in engagement with the piston, and apply individual biasing forces to the piston which cooperate to produce a total resultant biasing force. The biasing means are provided with different effective lengths so as to engage with the piston at different positions in the cylinder and thereby vary the total biasing force.