Abstract: A cable removing apparatus having a sheave with a fixed, annular, channel-shaped circumferential groove which is intermittently interrupted. The cable is held in frictional engagement with a portion of the circumference of the sheave. A motor is provided for rotating the sheave with the cable engaged in the channel-shaped groove thereof so as to cause the cable to pass about a portion of the circumference of the sheave. In one embodiment, a plurality of teeth are formed in the groove to penetrate the cable to assist in gripping it for removal. Also disclosed is a method utilizing the apparatus to remove continuous lengths of underground cable.