Wurtec's rope shortening clamps allow the users to lift the elevator car by clamping onto the hoist ropes directly above the hitch plate. Once the shortening clamp is in place, a hoist can be attached between it and the crosshead. Slack can then be created in the hoist ropes, allowing for easy shortening of the rope at the hitch plate. Each rope is gripped with (2) cast clamps, which have spiral edges in one groove.