To shorten the length of a winch device in axial direction, set at a specified restricted position of a load handling machine, eliminate the risk of falling of a lifted load even if a clutch hydraulic circuit fails, and enable free-fall operation at a light load of approx. the self-weight of a hook.

A winch device is formed with a rope winding drum 3, a support bracket 7a on one side of the drum 3, a hydraulic motor 1 installed on the support bracket 7a, a support shaft 7b which is located inside the drum 3 and supports it, a planetary gear speed reducer 4 incorporated in the drum 3, and an input shaft 4a which transmits a torque from the hydraulic motor 1 to the planetary gear speed reducer 4. In this case, a dry multiple disk negative clutch 5 is incorporated in the drum 3, a brake device 6 is installed on one side of the drum 3, and the carrier 4g of a final speed reduction stage in the planetary gear speed reducer 4 is connected to the negative clutch 5.