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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,
 PwYVo7zqM3s0khgXjFy/Je0iD0oLOTQvokskJwH3nskOq39xnUapEkbrXTJmPl5m
 r/7cT4m+yjocGAViQZPTuQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001005477-06-004187.txt : 20060817
<SEC-HEADER>0001005477-06-004187.hdr.sgml : 20060817
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060817143859
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001005477-06-004187
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060807
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060817
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060817

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BALDOR ELECTRIC CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000009342
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOTORS & GENERATORS [3621]
		IRS NUMBER:				430168840
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MO
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5711 R S BOREHAM JR ST
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 2400
		CITY:			FORT SMITH
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72902-2400
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5016464711

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Mauldin Jean A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001373102

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07284
		FILM NUMBER:		061040535

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		479-648-5769

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5711 R.S. BOREHAM, JR. STREET
		CITY:			FORT SMITH
		STATE:			AR
		ZIP:			72901
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar123.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-08-07</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000009342</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BALDOR ELECTRIC CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BEZ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001373102</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Mauldin Jean A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>276 DOGWOOD WALK LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DULUTH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30071</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jean A Mauldin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-08-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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