An appliance for loosening coal by means of high-pressure water and oil. It consists of a round, stainless steel bar with small telescopic rams acting on a steel liner in a shot hole. The bar is connected to a hand- or power-operated pump placed near the face. The highpressure liquid from the pump causes the rams and liner to exert a pressure sufficient to loosen or break down the coal. It is a safe method of coal breaking without the use of explosives. It has not, however, made the progress originally anticipated.