EXHIBIT 23.1


            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


         We consent to the  incorporation  by reference in (a) the  Registration
Statement  (Form  S-8  No.  333-3212)   pertaining  to  the  Columbus   McKinnon
Corporation 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the Columbus McKinnon  Corporation
Non-Qualified  Stock Option Plan, the Columbus McKinnon  Corporation  Restricted
Stock Plan and the Columbus McKinnon  Corporation  Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Restatement Effective April 1, 1989 of Columbus McKinnon Corporation and (b) the
Registration  Statement  (Form  S-8 No.  333-81719)  pertaining  to the  Options
assumed  by  Columbus  McKinnon  Corporation  originally  granted  under  the GL
International,  Inc.  1997 Stock Option Plan and the Larco  Industrial  Services
Ltd.  1997 Stock Option Plan of our report  dated May 12, 2004,  with respect to
the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  financial  statement  schedule of
Columbus McKinnon  Corporation included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended March 31, 2004.


                                               /S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Buffalo, New York
June 22, 2004