Abstract: A pivotal latch for a sucker rod puller is designed to be placed on a cross-member separating a first chamber being receptive of the collar of the sucker rod and a second chamber containing the latch. Slideably disposed over the main body containing the first and second chambers is a sleeve being of sufficient length to cover the first chamber and to uncover the second chamber when slideably disposed in a first position so that the pivotal latch automatically engages the end of the sleeve. The sleeve can be further slideably disposed in a second position over the second chamber thereby enabling the sucker rod collar to be removed from the first chamber and thereby holding the pivotal latch in a deactivated state against the inner surface of the sleeve.