Why can't the tower crane hook lift up when it can lower down?

[Miguel]

Tower crane can lower the hook but cannot lift it up because the load is too heavy, or the lifting/lowering hook limiter is damaged. Introduction to tower cranes: Tower crane is the most commonly used lifting equipment on construction sites, also known as "tower-type crane". It is extended section by section (height) (referred to as "standard section") and is used to lift construction materials such as steel bars, wood formwork, concrete, steel pipes, etc. Tower crane is an indispensable equipment on construction sites. Certificates required to operate a tower crane: Operating a tower crane requires a special operation qualification certificate for tower cranes. Tower crane operators are divided into three levels: Junior (National Vocational Qualification Level 5), Intermediate (National Vocational Qualification Level 4), and Advanced (National Vocational Qualification Level 3).

[MicahDella]

I've operated tower cranes for over a decade and seen this situation many times. When the hook won't lift but can lower, it's most likely an issue with the hoisting motor—either the brake is locked up or the motor has lost a phase and burned out the coils. First, listen for a humming sound from the hoisting motor when you operate the lever. If there's sound but no movement, the brake is definitely stuck; if there's no sound, check the contactor points in the control cabinet. Another common cause is a jammed hoist limit switch or the wire rope getting tangled on the drum and pressing against the sensor. Last time this happened at our site, we found cement slurry had gotten into the limit switch. Never take shortcuts by manually releasing the brake—if the wire rope snaps, it could lead to a serious accident!

[SanJulian]

Operating a tower crane is most frustrating when encountering such situations. The ability to lower the hook indicates that the hydraulic and cable systems are basically functioning normally, but if the hoisting function fails, the control circuit needs to be thoroughly inspected. It could be due to poor contact in the control lever's hoisting contacts or a broken coil in the hoisting contactor. Additionally, check for any breaks in the wiring from the main power supply to the motor, especially at cable joints that are frequently bent, as these are the most prone to damage. Once during an early morning rush job, I encountered this issue and later discovered that mice had chewed through the copper wires in the cable. Now, during every shift change, I always test the jog lifting function first to address any problems immediately. By the way, a false start of the overload protector in the operator's cab can also lock the hoisting function.

[JulianDella]

I've dealt with this kind of failure at least twenty times. The most likely causes are that the brake of the lifting motor hasn't fully released, or the overload protection device in the drum has been triggered by mistake. First, check if the main power contactor is energized and operating—a clicking sound indicates normal control signals. Then, feel with your hand whether the coil of the brake electromagnet is hot to the touch. Additionally, if the wire rope comes out of its groove and gets stuck on the edge of the drum, the computer will automatically lock the system. In one previous case, the lifting inverter's overload protection was triggered due to the driver's overly aggressive operation. These types of issues require an electrician to measure the control circuit with a multimeter.

[MacLaura]

When I first started in this field, I was also confused by this issue. If the hook can descend but not ascend, the first step is to rule out basic operational problems—check if the control lever is pushed all the way and if the emergency stop button was accidentally pressed. After eliminating these, it's likely a mechanical fault: the most common issue is a seized bearing in the lifting gearbox, or excessive wear on the brake causing insufficient clearance. Recently, I helped a friend fix a case where the motor terminal had rusted due to rain exposure. A reminder: lubricate the slewing ring joint monthly and check the tightness of the wiring in the electrical control cabinet, especially at high-vibration connection points, as they are most prone to problems.

[MacIvan]

Don't panic when encountering this issue, start troubleshooting from three areas. First, the carbon brushes in the lifting motor might be severely worn, causing unstable current. Use a screwdriver to peek through the inspection hole to observe spark conditions. Second, abnormal delay in the timing relay within the control system can lead to protective lockout during startup. Once after heavy rain, our tower crane had this exact issue—turned out the relay's metal contacts had oxidized. Third, check if the hydraulic station maintains sufficient pressure. While lowering the hook may work, lifting requires higher oil pressure. Modern tower cranes now feature fault code displays, so it's advisable to consult the operation manual's code reference table when possible.