here are pics of the plants.

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I think you can, Mike.

The first as you said is a Ferocactus, but I don't know the species.

The second may be an Echinocereus.

Either way, depot them, check for bugs and other critters, put them in fresh porous soil, and place them in a somewhat sunny area and don't water for a few days. This is assuming they have viable roots. If they don't, that's a whole other BOW.

Many cacti have a natural tendency to age as they get older by doing what your pictures show, though the Echinocereus has had other abuse heaped on it. This process is called corking.

were they under an also-neglected pine tree? both pots look like they're full of dead pine needles.

cmc, can you explain "corking?" Is it a permanent state and how does it affect how the cactus gets moisture and nourishment?

according to the donor of these cacti they have been in these pots for 14 yrs. They did have a great deal of pine needles in them. I used a shop vac and removed most of them.

Corking - aging of the epidermis. It doesn't affect that ability.