Business Segments - Segment Revenue and Segment Operating Profit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 354,400	$ 273,300	$ 254,600	$ 225,000	$ 295,400	$ 243,200	$ 247,600	$ 198,000	$ 1,107,300	$ 984,200	$ 934,200
Segment operating profit									123,600	102,700	91,300
Restructuring expense									0	(14,500)	(1,600)
Net interest expense									(7,900)	(7,600)	(7,600)
Total corporate items									(41,400)	(58,000)	(43,500)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									82,200	44,700	47,800
Provision for income taxes									26,200	13,900	13,800
Income from continuing operations	20,900	12,700	14,400	8,000	15,100	9,000	11,400	(4,700)	56,000	30,800	34,000
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	(100)	0	0	100	0	0	(100)	(100)	0	(900)
Net income	$ 20,900	$ 12,600	$ 14,400	$ 8,000	$ 15,200	$ 9,000	$ 11,400	$ (4,800)	55,900	30,800	33,100
Intercompany Eliminations
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenue									(900)	(700)	(500)
Corporate, Non-Segment
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Corporate expense									(34,600)	(37,500)	(36,500)
Restructuring expense									0	(14,500)	(1,600)
Net interest expense									(6,800)	(6,000)	(5,400)
JBT FoodTech | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenue									725,100	634,700	611,100
Segment operating profit									85,400	72,700	64,500
JBT AeroTech | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenue									383,100	350,200	323,600
Segment operating profit									$ 38,200	$ 30,000	$ 26,800