Abstract: A compact and portable pulling apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having a bore therein through which a plunger attached to a reciprocating bit of an attached air chisel may pass. Pivotally attached to the housing is a compact linkage mechanism which preferably has only two pairs of link elements. One end of the linkage mechanism is positioned to abut an end portion of the plunger and an opposite end is attached to a connecting yoke whereby an outward thrust of the air chisel bit causes the connecting yoke to be pulled inwardly. The connecting yoke is designed to attach any one of a number of various gripping or holding mechanisms to the pulling apparatus which may be required for any particular application. A method of applying a pulling force to an object is also disclosed.