UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 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): June 28, 2013

PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (216) 896-3000

Not Applicable

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(d) On June 28, 2013, the Board of Directors of the Company elected Kevin A. Lobo as a director of the Company, effective August 1, 2013, for a term expiring at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in October 2013. Mr. Lobo will serve as a member of the Audit Committee and the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Lobo is not a party to any transaction described in Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Mr. Lobo is eligible to participate in the non-employee director compensation arrangements described in the Company’s Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held in October 2012.

SIGNATURE

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.

Date: July 2, 2013