-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BawJv5XP/7TRJpkuSuxkn+5S590HeKhUfrtzT6NJhD1IdZ4MBwvUR6hQNz2Gh8nY
 yDA6TFIZc5I9XtCtAigQsw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000061986-04-000136.txt : 20040514
<SEC-HEADER>0000061986-04-000136.hdr.sgml : 20040514
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040514175146
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000061986-04-000136
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040504
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040514

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Nolden Dean J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001290460

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11978
		FILM NUMBER:		04809271

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9206844410

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2400 SOUTH 44TH STREET
		CITY:			MANITOWOC
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			54220

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MANITOWOC CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000061986
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY & EQUIP [3531]
		IRS NUMBER:				390448110
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 66
		CITY:			MANITOWOC
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			54221-0066
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9206844410

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 66
		CITY:			MANITOWOC
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			54221-0066
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-04</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000061986</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MANITOWOC CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MTW</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001290460</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Nolden Dean J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2400 SOUTH 44TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MANITOWOC</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>54220</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP of Finance and Controller</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>450</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock RSVP 401k Plan</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1329.5462</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Common Stock RSVP 401k Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Maurice D. Jones</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
