Equity - Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Cost of sales	$ (1,299.4)	$ (1,359.8)	$ (1,533.5)
Loss from continuing operations before taxes	(39.5)	(268.1)	(111.0)
Tax expense (benefit)	49.5	(100.5)	41.1
Net income (loss) attributable to Manitowoc common shareholders	9.4	(375.8)	65.5
Interest expense	(39.2)	(39.6)	(95.6)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Schedule of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net of Tax	(0.4)	(8.8)	(17.0)
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
Schedule of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net of Tax	(0.7)	(4.3)
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Schedule of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Loss from continuing operations before taxes	(0.7)	(5.4)	(18.3)
Tax expense (benefit)		1.1	6.8
Net income (loss) attributable to Manitowoc common shareholders	(0.7)	(4.3)	(11.5)
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
Schedule of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Cost of sales	(0.7)	(0.9)	(11.7)
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Commodity Contracts
Schedule of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Cost of sales		(0.2)	(4.0)
Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Interest Rate Swap Contracts: Float-to-Fixed
Schedule of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest expense		(4.3)	(2.6)
Actuarial Losses | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Schedule of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Total before tax	(5.2)	(4.6)	(7.5)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Schedule of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Total before tax	1.3	(0.1)	(0.1)
Pension & Postretirement
Schedule of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net of Tax	0.3	(4.5)
Pension & Postretirement | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Schedule of Reclassifications out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Total before tax	(3.9)	(4.7)	(7.6)
Tax benefit	4.2	0.2	2.1
Net of Tax	$ 0.3	$ (4.5)	$ (5.5)