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): AUGUST 5, 2005
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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 5.02     DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF
              DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS.

              On August 5, 2005, the registrant announced the resignation of its
Vice  President  - Finance  and Chief  Financial  Officer who also served as the
registrant's Principal Financial Officer. The registrant has designated Karen L.
Howard as Interim Chief Financial  Officer and Principal  Financial  Officer.  A
copy of the press  release  issued in  connection  with such  action is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1.


Item 9.01     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(c) Exhibits.


EXHIBIT NUMBER           DESCRIPTION
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99.1                     Press Release dated August 5, 2005









                                   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 hereunto duly authorized.





                                      COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION


                                      By:     /S/ KAREN L. HOWARD               
                                              ----------------------------------
                                      Name:   Karen L. Howard
                                      Title:  Vice President and Treasurer and
                                                 Interim Chief Financial Officer


Dated:  AUGUST 5, 2005
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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT NUMBER               DESCRIPTION
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     99.1                    Press Release dated August 5, 2005