A sylvester is a heavy-duty mechanical pulling device consisting of a notched steel bar, a lever, and a chain. Miners use it to safely recover timber props or steel friction supports from a distance before allowing the roof to collapse in the goaf. It provides a massive mechanical advantage, allowing a single worker to dislodge supports wedged tightly under the immense weight of the roof.
Heard on the job
Hook the sylvester to that back prop and pull it from the safety of the crosscut before the top comes down.
Also heard as
- prop-drawer