SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 18, 2004
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                          COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                    NEW YORK
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                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)



              0-27618                                16-0547600
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      (Commission File Number)            (IRS Employer Identification No.)



140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY, AMHERST, NEW YORK              14228-1197
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    (Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)




        Registrant's telephone number including area code: (716) 689-5400
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          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)






Item 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(c) Exhibits.


EXHIBIT NUMBER              DESCRIPTION
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99.1                        Press Release dated May 18, 2004


Item 12.  RESULTS OF OPERATION AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

         On May 18,  2004,  the  registrant  issued a press  release  announcing
financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2004. The press
release  is annexed as Exhibit  99.1 to this  Current  Report on Form 8-K.  This
information is being furnished pursuant under Item 12 of Form 8-K.

         The  information  contained  in this Form 8-K and the  Exhibit  annexed
hereto shall not be deemed  "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended,  nor  shall it be  deemed  incorporated  by
reference into any filing under the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  except
as shall be expressly set forth in such filing.







                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.





                                      COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION


                                      By:    /S/ ROBERT R. FRIEDL
                                             ---------------------------------
                                      Name:  Robert L. Friedl
                                      Title: Vice President - Finance and Chief
                                                Financial Officer


Dated:  May 18, 2004
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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT NUMBER            DESCRIPTION
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     99.1                 Press Release dated May 18, 2004