A crane hook assembly and methods of use for safely lifting large conduits, such as wind generator tower sections. The hook assembly includes a steel frame member and a support member forwardly extending from the front surface of the frame member. The support member cooperates with the frame member to engage and retain an annular flange of the tower section. The hook assembly is secured onto the tower section with a securing mechanism, preferably using a rack and pinion gear assembly to actuate a locking pin. The sliding, retractable, locking pin may be actuated such that it is movable between an unlocked position and a locking position, such that the locking pin is positioned horizontally over the tower section when in the locked position and the locking pin is fully retracted from the front surface when the locking pin is in the unlocked position.