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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000061986-07-000419.txt : 20071212
<SEC-HEADER>0000061986-07-000419.hdr.sgml : 20071212
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20071212175648
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000061986-07-000419
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20071210
FILED AS OF DATE:		20071212
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20071212

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MUSIAL THOMAS G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001205088

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11978
		FILM NUMBER:		071302820

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O MANITOWOC CO INC
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 66
		CITY:			MANITOWOC
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			54221-0066
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9206844410

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:		2400 SOUTH 44TH STREET
		CITY:			MANITOWOC
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			54221-0066
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9206522222

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2400 SOUTH 44TH STREET
		CITY:			MANITOWOC
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			54221-0066
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-12-10</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001205088</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MUSIAL THOMAS G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2400 SOUTH 44TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MANITOWOC</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>54221-0066</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. VP Human Resources</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-12-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3.7549</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>45.86</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>103307.7473</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20735.4164</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>RSVP 401k Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F2">On September 10, 2007, the common stock of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. split 2-for-1.  This number consists of shares held under the Company's 401(k) plan (The Manitowoc Company, Inc. RSVP Profit Sharing Plan), including 33.7364 shares (split-adjusted) acquired in transactions occurring between 12/31/05 and 12/31/06, which are exempt from Section 16(b) pursuant to Rule 16b-3 and exempt from reporting pursuant to Rule 16a-3(f)(1)(i)(B).  The information in this report is based on a plan statement dated as of 12/31/06 and previously reported as 10,367.7082 shares, but has been adjusted to reflect the stock split on September 10, 2007.  From time to time the plan administrator collects maintenance fees related to the RSVP Plan, which may result in the number of shares held by a participant in the RSVP Plan declining by a marginal amount.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes amount and purchase price of common stock units acquired in an exempt transaction pursuant to dividend reinvestment provisions of the Deferred Compensation Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Maurice D. Jones, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-12-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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