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                                    EXHIBIT 5



                              September 4, 2001


Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.
One Applied Plaza
Cleveland, Ohio 44115


         Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Gentlemen:

         Reference is made to your Registration Statement on Forms S-8 filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 4, 2001 with respect
to 2,500,000 shares of common stock, without par value ("Common Stock"), of
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. to be offered pursuant to the Applied
Industrial Technologies, Inc. 1997 Long-Term Performance Plan (the "Plan"). We
are familiar with the Plan, and we have examined such documents and
certificates and considered such matters of law as we deemed necessary for the
purpose of this opinion.

         Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinions that the Common Stock
and interests offered pursuant to the Plan, when issued in accordance with the
provisions of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.


                                     Respectfully submitted,

                                 /s/ Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP