Abstract: A hoisting winch for cranes or the like having a power transmission system assembled in a final reduction drive of the winch and arranged such that arresting of the whole planetary gear set meshing with a ring gear connected to a spooling drum and releasing of the arrest can be effected by arresting a carrier and by releasing the arrest and that a rotary drive power from an input shaft is transmitted to the spooling drum when the carrier is held against rotation, brake means adapted to be spring applied and hydraulically released with its control circuit to arrest or release the carrier, and an adjustable pressure reducing valve provided in the control circuit for adjusting and controlling a braking force of the brake means.