<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>5
<FILENAME>l90392aex23.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23
<TEXT>
<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 23









INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
33-42623, 33-43506, 33-53401, 33-60687, 33-65509, 33-65513, 333-83809, and
333-69002 of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. on Forms S-8 of our reports
dated August 8, 2001 appearing in and incorporated by reference in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. for the year ended
June 30, 2001.



/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP



Cleveland, Ohio
September 17, 2001














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