The invention discloses a lifting machine for loading and unloading a reactor fuel assembly. The lifting machine comprises an installation base, a support framework, a lifting driving mechanism, a rotation driving mechanism and a fuel receiving device, wherein the installation base is arranged at a top cover of a reactor and is provided with a fuel charge and discharge passage which is used for charging the fuel assembly into the reactor or discharging the fuel assembly out of the reactor; the support framework is arranged at the bottom part of the installation base; the lifting driving mechanism is arranged on the installation base; the rotation driving mechanism comprises a rotation driving assembly and a guide rail; the upper end of the guide rail penetrates through the installation base, and is connected with the output end of the rotation driving assembly; the lower end of the guide rail is arranged on the support framework; the fuel receiving device is used for receiving the fuelassembly which is charged via the fuel charge and discharge passage or is replaced, the fuel receiving device is glidingly arranged on the guide rail, the lifting driving mechanism is used for driving the fuel receiving device to move up and down, and the guide rail is rotated to drive the fuel receiving device to rotate between the position of the fuel charge and discharge passage and the butting position.