a puller for removing an object from a shaft including first and second collars movable relative to one another along an axis , at least two circumferentially spaced damping jaws pivotally supported at one end to the first collar and having means at the other end for grasping the object , at least two circumferentially spaced links , each of the links being pivotally supported at one end to the second collar and pivotally supported at the other end to an associated clamping jaw , and a drive structure for moving the collars together along the axis away from the shaft . a hydraulic cylinder drive axially adjusts the collars relative to one another to control movement of the clamping jaws . the clamping jaws may include bidirectional claws for selective use , with the collars and links being positionable to permit the axial spacing from the first collar to be selectively less than or greater than the axial spacing between the collars . an axially extending pusher is secured to one of the collars and has an end engageable with an end of the shaft . either manual or hydraulic cylinder drives , or a combination thereof , biases the pusher relative to the collars for removal of a grasped object from an engaged shaft .