It was suggested to us by the flooring installer my Mom paid to do our kitchen.

Tamper Head Digging Bar/Chisel (http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202531238 for example), sharpened properly on one side. Push the angled edge along the floor. It either pulls the staple up or shears them off. Either way, you should be good. Gets better than 95% right off. That 17lbs will be a good work out after an hour of doing it.

Then with a Bolster Chisel do the rest... oh and run a piece of tin with a flat edge on it across the floor at a slight angle... you'll be able to find the ones you missed, before your feet do.

My wife started pulling the staples out with some electrical lineman's pliers... yeah, that lasted all of 20 minutes.