Abstract: Cable tester and methods of operating the same for subjecting cable such as mining cable to simulated conditions substantially corresponding to actual field conditions as normally encountered by the cable for determining cable longevity, comprisinga surface having first and second spaced apart reference points and defining a test drag surface area therebetween,a source adjacent the second point for feed and return of a test span of the cable,first and second moving mechanisms, the first mechanism being connectable to the cable for moving the forward end of the test span from the second to the first point and the second mechanism being connectable to the cable for moving the rearward end of the test span from the second point to the source, anda control system for controlling the first and second mechanisms,for operation in a first test mode for simultaneous reciprocal movement of both mechanisms to drag the test span back and forth along the drag surface area to simulate corresponding field condition dragging