Abstract: This relates to a device for exerting a back-pull on the heddles of Jacquard looms. In such looms the upper end of each heddle is connected to a patterning machine and it is necessary that the lower end of the heddle be connected to a pulling device which applies the necessary pull in the opposite direction to return the displaced heddle. Each heddle has permanently connected thereto a piston which is positioned within a cylinder guide with one end of the cylinder guide being open into a chamber wherein a pressure other than atmospheric pressure is maintained and the opposite end of the cylinder guide is open to the atmosphere in a manner wherein each piston and its associated heddle is displaced away from the patterning machine. The pull-back pressure may be varied by varying the pressure within the chamber.