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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Ty+rXqxcKDgt2DV9k4JJNJ/BGaJi8VQ04nYteUmS9oNT6DqSsG73ZkLHsqJyplMV
 r/kRk3G9klPUSZJUqqbnkA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000048287-03-000019.txt : 20030715
<SEC-HEADER>0000048287-03-000019.hdr.sgml : 20030715
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030714175541
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000048287-03-000019
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030714
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030715

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FRANCIS CHERYL A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001197386

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14225
		FILM NUMBER:		03785996

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8237 GREYSTONE COURT
		CITY:			BURR RIDGE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60527

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HON INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000048287
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	OFFICE FURNITURE (NO WOOD) [2522]
		IRS NUMBER:				420617510
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0102

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		414 EAST THIRD STREET - PO BOX 1109
		CITY:			MUSCATINE
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52761-7109
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3192647400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		414 EAST THIRD STREET
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 1109
		CITY:			MUSCATINE
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52761

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HOME O NIZE CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19681001
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-14</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000048287</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HON INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HNI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001197386</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FRANCIS CHERYL A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-07-14</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>24</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>30.6</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>8103</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares were acquired under the Corporation's amended and restated 1997 Equity Plan for Non-Employee Directors.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Tamara S. Feldman, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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