<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2020-03-09</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001433660</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>John Bean Technologies CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>JBT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001204543</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JACKSON LAWRENCE V</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>JOHN BEAN TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>70 WEST MADISON SUITE 4400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60602</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ James L. Marvin, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2020-03-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
