This invention relates to a bucket (12) for a mechanical shovel (10). The bucket has a hollow body (16) provided with an inlet (14) for receiving material into its interior and an outlet (15) for discharging material therefrom. A door (18) is secured to the body and is movable between a closed condition in which it closes the outlet, and an open condition in which it permits discharge under gravity of material from the bucket. A buffering device in the form of a working fluid containing telescopically extensible and retractable piston-and-cylinder assembly (22) is operatively connected between the body and the door of the bucket for buffering movement of the door relative to the body. The assembly (22) includes a fluid flow control assembly (72) constructed and arranged to cause free fluid flow through the fluid flow assembly during opening of the door and to cause throttled fluid flow through the fluid flow assembly during closing of the door, such that movement of the door towards its closed condition is buffered.