A method and apparatus are provided for the manipulation of a sleeve onto and off of a cylinder. A sleeve mounted on a handling shaft is equipped with a substantially airtight slideable end cap at its distal end. During mounting, axial alignment is provided when the handling shaft is engaged with the free end of the cylinder. A plurality of apertures on the cylinder's exterior surface conduct pressurized air, which expands the sleeve by exerting radial fluid pressure on its inside surface. A vacuum source actively evacuates the air from the sleeve's interior drawing the sleeve onto the cylinder. To remove the sleeve fluid pressure is reasserted exerting an axial force against the substantially airtight end cap. An auxiliary air supply is selectively activated to aid in sleeve removal.