-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000902131-05-000014.txt : 20050812
<SEC-HEADER>0000902131-05-000014.hdr.sgml : 20050812
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050812155546
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000902131-05-000014
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050810
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050812
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050812

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TIMKEN CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000098362
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BALL & ROLLER BEARINGS [3562]
		IRS NUMBER:				340577130
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1835 DUEBER AVE SW
		CITY:			CANTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44706-2798
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3304713078

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TIMKEN ROLLER BEARING CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710304

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TIMKEN WILLIAM ROBERT JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000902131

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-01169
		FILM NUMBER:		051021634

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3304555281

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		236 THIRD STREET SW
		CITY:			CANTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44702
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-08-10</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000098362</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TIMKEN CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TKR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

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        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000902131</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TIMKEN WILLIAM ROBERT JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>THE TIMKEN COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1835 DUEBER AVENUE, S.W.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CANTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44706</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Chairman of the Board</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
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            <transactionDate>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <ownershipNature>
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                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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    <derivativeTable>
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            <expirationDate>
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            <securityTitle>
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            <transactionDate>
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                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>80000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-04-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
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                    <value>D</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-04-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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                    <value>0</value>
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                </natureOfOwnership>
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        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options to Buy</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
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                <value>2005-08-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
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                    <value>10000</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2000-05-18</value>
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            <expirationDate>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">By self as Co-Trustee for Sue Shaffer Timken 2005 Revocable Trust.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">As previously reported, effective August 8, 2005, the undersigned has resigned as trustee of seven other previously reportable trusts and is no longer responsible for reporting those trusts.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Employee stock option with limited transferability granted pursuant to The Timken Company Long-Term Incentive Plan.  Option became exercisable in annual 25 percent increments which began on April 16, 1997, the first anniversary of the date of the grant.  Option becomes fully exercisable upon the occurrence of a change in control of the Company or other similar event.  Option included rights to receive dividend equivalents payable in shares of common stock on a deferred basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Same as (3) above, except option became exercisable in annual 25 percent increments which began on April 16, 1998, the first anniversary of the date of the grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Same as (3) above, except option became exercisable in annual 25 percent increments which began on April 20, 2000, the first anniversary of the date of the grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>W.R. Timken, Jr</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
