1.   They were careful to keep their hands away from the braided wire cables of the solar wing so their gloves would not snag or rip.

2.   They will not handle the few feet of braided wire cable with their hands because it could snag or rip their gloves.

3.   They did not handle the few feet of braided wire cable with their hands because it could snag or rip their gloves.

4.   They kept their hands off the braided wire cables so their gloves would not snag or rip.