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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000048287-04-000017.txt : 20040203
<SEC-HEADER>0000048287-04-000017.hdr.sgml : 20040203
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040203104910
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000048287-04-000017
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040203

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JOHNSON JAMES I
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001194576

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14225
		FILM NUMBER:		04561324

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		HON INDUSTRIES
		STREET 2:		414 E 3RD ST PO BOX 1109
		CITY:			MUSCATINE
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52761
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5632647400

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>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001194576</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JOHNSON JAMES I</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>414 EAST THIRD STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MUSCATINE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>52761</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP, Gen Counsel &amp; Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>352.6507</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5537.6105</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>148.1579</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>688.0268</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Profit-Sharing Retirement Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares were acquired during the fiscal year under the HON INDUSTRIES Inc. Member Stock Purchase Plan at prices ranging from $24.2930 to $36.8305.  The information is as of December 31, 2003.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These shares were acquired under the HON INDUSTRIES Inc. Profit-Sharing Retirement Plan.  The information is as of December 31, 2003.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ James I. Johnson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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