PurposeAs the excessive lifting force can lead to catwalk rollover and well site accidents, the lifting process boundary conditions and structural parameters have a significant effect lifting force, it is important to analysis the structural parameters on the maximum lifting force in the lifting process of power catwalk.Design/methodology/approachA new model is proposed to analyze the influence of structure parameters on its lifting force for lifting power catwalk in this paper, and the geometric and dynamic equations are established according to the different boundary conditions in different stages. In addition, the establishment of dynamics equations is based on D'Alembert's principle. To solve the model, dynamic analysis software is developed, which uses c # call MATLAB to solve the geometric and dynamic equations. The maximum lifting force is analyzed and optimized according to the software, the influence of structural parameters on the maximum lifting force is obtained and the correctness of the optimization is proved by experiments.FindingsThe best value of offset e is 0. The length of L22 should as small as possible while the installation size of the end of the conveying arm are guaranteed. The length of L1 should as small as possible while ensuring the not exceed the maximum value. The maximum lifting force remain the same in the second phase, the maximum lifting force decreases with the increase of Lcp, Lcpshould as small as possible. The maximum pressure of the hydraulic oil dropped by an average of 13.62% under optimized parameters.Practical implicationsThis paper provides a theoretical basis for the selection of hydraulic winch, which also provides the theoretical basis and data support for the design and optimization of the structural parameters of the power catwalk.Social implicationsThis research has industrial applications in SJ Petroleum Machinery CO.LTD, SINOPEC (China) .CANRIG, North Rig, TESCO, Sichuan HONGHUA petroleum equipment CO.LTD of CNPC., Baoji Oil field Machinery CO.LTD, SJ Petroleum Machinery Co. LTD of SINOPEC, Yantai Jereh Oilfield Services Group CO.LTD, Nanyang clips oil equipment (group) CO. LTD, etc are the likely users.Originality/valueA new model is proposed to analyze the lifting force of lifting power catwalk. The model takes into account the inertia force of the structure, development of dynamics software and analysis and optimization of structural parameters. The maximum lifting force is analyzed and optimized according to the software, the influence of structural parameters on the maximum lifting force is obtained and the correctness of the optimization is proved by experiments.