A cable recovery machine, comprising at least one traction module configured to hold and draw at least one cable, in particular of a cable laying plant; the traction module comprises a frame on which one or more traction wheels and one or more idle wheels are positioned; between the traction wheels and the idle wheels a space is defined for the passage and traction of the cable to be recovered; the idle wheels are provided with a support connected in a mobile manner to the frame of the traction module and provided with actuators configured to press the idle wheels against the cable that passes between them and the traction wheels, so that the space between the idle wheels and the traction wheels can be automatically adjusted on the basis of the external diameter (D1, D2) or thickness of the cable drawn.