Abstract: A substantially continuous tube-pulling operation is performed through the use of a plurality of pulling deivces, each of which is designed to partially pull a tube from its associated holder. By operating the pulling devices in a consecutive and repetitive fashion, the tube can be completely stripped from the holder in a single continuous operation.

Abstract: Tube-pulling apparatus include expandable gripping jaws and an expansion rod adapted to expand the gripping jaws so that they grip an inner wall of a tube to be pulled from a tube sheet. A first piston, which is connected to the expansion rod, moves the expansion rod relative to the gripping jaws to effect their expansion. After the gripping jaws are fully expanded, the first piston cooperates with a second piston, which is connected to the gripping jaws, to conjointly retract the expansion rod and the gripping jaws, thereby extracting the tube. If the gripping jaws are misadjusted resulting in their complete expansion before the first piston assumes its cooperative relationship with the second piston, retraction of the second piston is prevented, thereby automatically aborting the tube-pulling operation to prevent damage to the tube sheet.