body 3 of tool 1 however because of the magnitude of this direct load piston 4 is subjected to very large axial forces both during the time segments 5 are engaged to secure hanger 2 to tool 1 and as the piston is actuated to release the segments so that after the hanger has been landed and tested the handling tool can be recovered piston 4 comprises a tubular body 6 having at its upper end a right cylindrical outer surface portion 7 and therebelow a right cylindrical outer surface portion 8 of slightly larger diameter than portion 7 portions 7 and 8 being joined by a transverse annular frustoconical shoulder 9 which tapers upwardly and inwardly at 45 u00b0 portion 8 terminates at an annular outwardly projecting piston flange 10 the outer periphery of which slidably engages inner surface portion 11 of body 3 near the top of body 6 outer surface portion 7 is interrupted by a transverse annular outwardly opening retaining groove 12 which as best seen in fig4 has a right cylindrical bottom wall 13 a first side wall 14 which is frustoconical and tapers downwardly and inwardly at approximately 45 u00b0 and a second side wall including an inner portion 15 which is flat and at right angles.