That gear crank handle looks incorrectly stowed. It looks like it's blocked from unfolding by the surround. If I recall correctly, it should be rotated almost 180 deg to that shown, when in in the stowed position. That positions the handle outside the surround, and allows the handle to unfold.
Cranking the gear down takes some time. About 50 turns of the handle. Don't forget to pull the gear CB. You don't want the that thing flying around while holding it, should the gear motor decide to participate again.