Exhibit 23 Consent of Independent Auditors We consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated February 6, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of The Timken Company included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996, in the following Registration Statements and in the related Prospectuses: Registration Filing Number Description of Registration Statement Date 33-35773 $250,000,000 Medium-Term Notes, Series July 19, 1990 A - Form S-3 2-97340 1985 Incentive Plan of The Timken November 19, 1990 Company - Post-effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 33-36839 Voluntary Investment Program for November 19, 1990 Hourly Employees of Latrobe Steel Company - Post-effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 33-55121 Voluntary Investment Pension Plan for August 18, 1994 Hourly Employees of The Timken Company - Form S-8 33-50609 The Ohio Hourly Pension Investment October 15, 1993 Plan - Form S-8 333-02553 The Timken Company Long-Term Incentive April 16, 1996 Plan - Form S-8 333-16465 The MPB Corporation Employees' Savings November 20, 1996 Plan - Form S-8 333-17509 The Timken Company Savings and Investment December 9, 1996 Pension Plan - Form S-8 333-17503 The Timken Company Dividend Reinvestment December 9, 1996 Plan - Form S-3 ERNST & YOUNG LLP Canton, Ohio March 24, 1997