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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 O2wUR9Gpt9UR8BTNWMgKtK3r0tL+BB/r/Cp4XHNPqyp9dfXPgLM+iR4RHbUIGNa9
 7J16pr3p7xVVNGukJoQf+Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001197801-04-000003.txt : 20041110
<SEC-HEADER>0001197801-04-000003.hdr.sgml : 20041110
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041110131930
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001197801-04-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041017
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041110
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041110

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RABINOWITZ STEPHEN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001197801

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-27618
		FILM NUMBER:		041132222

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8473 BAY COLONY DR
		CITY:			NAPLES
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			34108

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001005229
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY & EQUIP [3531]
		IRS NUMBER:				160547600
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PKWY
		CITY:			AMHERST
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14228-1197
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7166895400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY
		CITY:			AMHERST
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14228-1197
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-17</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001005229</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CMCO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001197801</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RABINOWITZ STEPHEN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AMHERST</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>14228-1197</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Stephen Rabinowitz</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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