The Wurtec aluminum rope shortening clamp allows the user 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. To prevent the cable from slipping, be sure the shortening clamp is positioned with grooves on each rope and torqued to the proper specification.