In early coal mining, a putter was a laborer tasked with manually pushing small wagons or tubs of cut coal away from the working face. They moved the heavy loads along narrow, low-roofed gate roads until reaching a main haulage point where horses or mechanical winches could take over. The job required immense physical strength and was often performed by older boys or young men.
The putter struggled to get the tub moving through the low seam before the getter yelled for another empty.
This term belongs entirely to historic manual mining; mechanized operations replaced this role with conveyor belts and shuttle cars long ago.
Also heard as
- hurrier
- drawer
Related terms
Getter
A historic coal miner whose primary job was to cut and break the coal from the face.
Tub
An open-topped container or small rail car used to hoist mined material up a shaft.
Foal
A historic term for a young boy who assisted older workers in moving coal tubs.
Marrow
A traditional term for a miner's work partner or close mate on a shift.