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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 tYB5b3KaWTUm4odsalmzYg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000897930-03-000018.txt : 20031001
<SEC-HEADER>0000897930-03-000018.hdr.sgml : 20031001
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031001154113
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000897930-03-000018
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030930
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031001

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TIMKEN CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000098362
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BALL & ROLLER BEARINGS [3562]
		IRS NUMBER:				340577130
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1835 DUEBER AVE SW
		CITY:			CANTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44706-2798
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3304713078

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TIMKEN ROLLER BEARING CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710304

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PRECOURT JAY A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000897930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-01169
		FILM NUMBER:		03920545

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PRECOURT INTERESTS LTD
		STREET 2:		328 MILL CREEK CIRCLE
		CITY:			VAIL
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			81657
		BUSINESS PHONE:		970-477-2579

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PRECOURT INTERESTS LTD
		STREET 2:		328 MILL CREEK CIRCLE
		CITY:			VAIL
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			81657
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-09-30</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000098362</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TIMKEN CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TKR</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000897930</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PRECOURT JAY A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1835 DUEBER AVE. S. W.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CANTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44706</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Phantom Stock</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-09-30</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1061.74</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>15.305</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>2003-09-30</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stoc
k</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>1061.74</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>6148.69</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The Security converts to common stock on a one for one basis</footnote><footnote id="F2">The units are to be settled within 1 year after directorship ceases</footnote><footnote id="F3">Includes 35.21 phantom stock units acquired as deemed dividends under The Timken Company Director Deferred Compensation plan on 09/03/2003</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Scott A. Scherff,  Attorney in fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-10-01</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDo
cument>

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