Abstract: A device for pulling a shaft from the core of a roll of web material, the device comprising a jack having a wheeled base, a head, and means for raising and lowering the head relative to the base. A shaft receiver is mounted on the head, the shaft receiver having a passage therein for receiving the shaft. The device further comprises a shaft gripper adapted to grip a shaft inserted into the shaft-receiving passage, permitting relative forward movement of the shaft in the passage but resisting relative rearward movement of the shaft in the passage, so that the device can be applied to the end of the shaft to grip the shaft in the passage and pulled to pull the shaft from the roll.