SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                   F 0 R M 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): February 20, 2001


                          COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION
        ----------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                    NEW YORK
        ----------------------------------------------------------------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)



        0-27618                                    16-0547600
------------------------                  ---------------------------------
(Commission File Number)                  (IRS Employer Identification No.)



140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY, AMHERST, NEW YORK          14228-1197
-------------------------------------------------          ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)




Registrant's telephone number including area code: (716) 689-5400
                                                   --------------





----------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


<PAGE>


Item 5.  OTHER EVENTS

     On February 20, 2001,  the registrant  completed its  previously  announced
review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, including a sale
or merger of the Company.  A copy of the press release issued in connection with
such action is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.


Item 7.  EXHIBITS


EXHIBIT NUMBER      DESCRIPTION

      99            Press Release dated February 20, 2001







<PAGE>

                                   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/ ROBERT L. MONTGOMERY, JR.
                                                  -----------------------------
                                            Name:  Robert L. Montgomery, Jr.
                                            Title: Executive Vice President


Dated:  February 20, 2001

<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT NUMBER            DESCRIPTION                                    PAGE
--------------            -----------                                    ----

     99                   Press Release dated February 20, 2001             1
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "sar8k.txt", "description": "STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES REVIEW 8K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 2951}]
[{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORP", "cik": "0001005229", "assigned-sic": "3531", "irs-number": "160547600", "state-of-incorporation": "NY", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-27618", "film-number": "1550225"}, "business-address": {"street1": "140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PKWY", "city": "AMHERST", "state": "NY", "zip": "14228-1197", "phone": "7166895400"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY", "city": "AMHERST", "state": "NY", "zip": "14228-1197"}}, {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "LICO STEEL INC", "cik": "0001062622", "assigned-sic": "0000", "state-of-incorporation": "MO", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "333-53759-04", "film-number": "1550226"}, "business-address": {"street1": "140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY", "city": "AMHERST", "state": "NY", "zip": "19228-1197", "phone": "7166895400"}}, {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS INC", "cik": "0001062623", "assigned-sic": "0000", "irs-number": "430978181", "state-of-incorporation": "MO", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "333-53759-05", "film-number": "1550227"}, "business-address": {"street1": "140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY", "city": "AMHERST", "state": "NY", "zip": "19228-1197", "phone": "7166895400"}}, {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "YALE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS INC", "cik": "0001062624", "assigned-sic": "0000", "irs-number": "710585582", "state-of-incorporation": "MO", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "333-53759-06", "film-number": "1550228"}, "business-address": {"street1": "140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY", "city": "AMHERST", "state": "NY", "zip": "19228-1197", "phone": "7166895400"}}]
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                   F 0 R M 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): February 20, 2001

                          COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORPORATION
        ----------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    NEW YORK
        ----------------------------------------------------------------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

        0-27618                                    16-0547600
------------------------                  ---------------------------------
(Commission File Number)                  (IRS Employer Identification No.)

140 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON PARKWAY, AMHERST, NEW YORK          14228-1197
-------------------------------------------------          ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number including area code: (716) 689-5400
                                                   --------------

----------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 5.  OTHER EVENTS

     On February 20, 2001,  the registrant  completed its  previously  announced
review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, including a sale
or merger of the Company.  A copy of the press release issued in connection with
such action is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.

Item 7.  EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT NUMBER      DESCRIPTION

      99            Press Release dated February 20, 2001
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/ ROBERT L. MONTGOMERY, JR.
                                                  -----------------------------
                                            Name:  Robert L. Montgomery, Jr.
                                            Title: Executive Vice President

Dated:  February 20, 2001
EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NUMBER            DESCRIPTION                                    PAGE
--------------            -----------                                    ----

     99                   Press Release dated February 20, 2001             1