An apparatus for installing or removing a turbine blade from a turbine of a turbomachine, the apparatus comprising: an operative head configured to engage an axial sidewall of a turbine blade base; an actuator configured to move the operative head to selectively engage the axial sidewall of the turbine blade base and impart an axial force against the turbine blade base to remove or install the turbine blade; and a support gantry configured to position the actuator substantially vertically above the turbine blade in position in the turbomachine; wherein the actuator includes: a mount member configured to couple to the support gantry; a slide system configured to slidably move the operative head relative to the mount member; and a linear actuator configured to selectively move the slide system axially relative to the mount member to apply the axial force; wherein the operative head includes an arm operatively coupled to the actuator; and wherein the actuator further includes a coupler configured to selectively position the mount member; characterized in that the coupler is configured to selectively position the mount member between: a first state in which the mount member is axially and pivotally fixed to an axially-extending support member of the support gantry and the arm extends substantially vertically adjacent a first stage of a plurality of turbine blade stages (270, 272), and a second state in which the mount member is pivotable relative to the axially-extending support member to position the arm radially outside of any turbine blade on the turbine, and axially movable along the axially-extending support member of the support gantry, wherein, in the second state, the actuator is movable along the axially-extending support member for positioning relative to a different second stage of the plurality of turbine blade stages (270, 272). an operative head configured to engage an axial sidewall of a turbine blade base; an actuator configured to move the operative head to selectively engage the axial sidewall of the turbine blade base and impart an axial force against the turbine blade base to remove or install the turbine blade; and a support gantry configured to position the actuator substantially vertically above the turbine blade in position in the turbomachine; wherein the actuator includes: a mount member configured to couple to the support gantry; a slide system configured to slidably move the operative head relative to the mount member; and a linear actuator configured to selectively move the slide system axially relative to the mount member to apply the axial force; wherein the operative head includes an arm operatively coupled to the actuator; and wherein the actuator further includes a coupler configured to selectively position the mount member; characterized in that the coupler is configured to selectively position the mount member between: a first state in which the mount member is axially and pivotally fixed to an axially-extending support member of the support gantry and the arm extends substantially vertically adjacent a first stage of a plurality of turbine blade stages (270, 272), and a second state in which the mount member is pivotable relative to the axially-extending support member to position the arm radially outside of any turbine blade on the turbine, and axially movable along the axially-extending support member of the support gantry, wherein, in the second state, the actuator is movable along the axially-extending support member for positioning relative to a different second stage of the plurality of turbine blade stages (270, 272). a mount member configured to couple to the support gantry; a slide system configured to slidably move the operative head relative to the mount member; and a linear actuator configured to selectively move the slide system axially relative to the mount member to apply the axial force; wherein the operative head includes an arm operatively coupled to the actuator; and wherein the actuator further includes a coupler configured to selectively position the mount member; characterized in that the coupler is configured to selectively position the mount member between: a first state in which the mount member is axially and pivotally fixed to an axially-extending support member of the support gantry and the arm extends substantially vertically adjacent a first stage of a plurality of turbine blade stages (270, 272), and a second state in which the mount member is pivotable relative to the axially-extending support member to position the arm radially outside of any turbine blade on the turbine, and axially movable along the axially-extending support member of the support gantry, wherein, in the second state, the actuator is movable along the axially-extending support member for positioning relative to a different second stage of the plurality of turbine blade stages (270, 272). a first state in which the mount member is axially and pivotally fixed to an axially-extending support member of the support gantry and the arm extends substantially vertically adjacent a first stage of a plurality of turbine blade stages (270, 272), and a second state in which the mount member is pivotable relative to the axially-extending support member to position the arm radially outside of any turbine blade on the turbine, and axially movable along the axially-extending support member of the support gantry, wherein, in the second state, the actuator is movable along the axially-extending support member for positioning relative to a different second stage of the plurality of turbine blade stages (270, 272).