Analytical dependencies for determining the rigidity and parameters of a stress-strain state of a rubber layer located between the cables and the drum from their mutual shear are established in a closed form. A method of determining the dispersion of deviation of calculated displacements from established values of elastic shell material is developed. Obtained results allow considering the shape of an elastic layer of rubber, estimate the level of reliability of the results when calculating a stress-strain state of rubber-cable tractive elements from the shear of cables relatively to the drum. Established dependencies can be used for determining a stress-strain state of a layer of elastic material, caused by shear of cables relatively to the drum of a machine, and formulating the condition of strength of a rubber-cable tractive element loaded with shear forces on a drum. Possibility of determination of a lower boundary of the efficiency coefficient in a process of interaction of a rubber-cable rope (belt) with pulleys and drums, both driving and driven, lined with elastic materials and with hard operating surfaces, allows improving the accuracy of calculations of drives of lifting and transporting machines with such executing elements.