<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2024-01-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000076334</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PARKER HANNIFIN CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0002004243</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Scott Patrick</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6035 PARKLAND BLVD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CLEVELAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44124</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP &amp; President-Fluid Conn.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2220</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>141.59</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Parker Retirement Savings Plan and Savings Restoration Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>158.79</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2018-08-16</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2027-08-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1640</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>166.49</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2019-08-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2028-08-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1380</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>158.90</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2020-08-14</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2029-08-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1460</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>209.56</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2021-08-12</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2030-08-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1680</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>296</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2022-08-11</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2031-08-10</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1710</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>299.19</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2023-08-17</value>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2032-08-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1990</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>406.32</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2024-08-16</value>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2033-08-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1670</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This Restricted Stock award was granted on February 24, 2021, and vests on February 24, 2024.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Stock Appreciation Rights award was granted on August 16, 2017 and is currently fully vested.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The Stock Appreciation Rights award was granted on August 15, 2018 and is currently fully vested.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The Stock Appreciation Rights award was granted on August 14, 2019 and is currently fully vested.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">The Stock Appreciation Rights award was granted on August 12. 2020 and is currently fully vested.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">The Stock Appreciation Rights award was granted on August 11, 2021, and vests in 3 equal annual installments beginning August 11, 2022.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">The Stock Appreciation Rights award was granted on August 17, 2022, and vests in 3 equal annual installments beginning August 17, 2023.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">The Stock Appreciation Rights award was granted on August 16, 2023, and vests in 3 equal annual installments beginning August 16. 2024.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Stephen D. Klinge, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2024-01-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
