Other Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Hyster-Yale	Dec. 31, 2011 Hyster-Yale	Dec. 31, 2010 Hyster-Yale	Sep. 28, 2012 Hyster-Yale Common Class A	Sep. 28, 2012 Hyster-Yale Common Class B
Other Events and Transactions [Abstract]
Litigation settlement, gross		$ 60,000,000
Litigation settlement, expense		2,800,000	18,800,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Proceeds from the sale of assets	35,900,000	3,400,000	19,900,000
Distibuted shares							1	1
Maximum extend period for initial transition	3 months
Days written notice to the other party prior to the termination date	30 days
Expected net aggregate fees on an annual basis				600,000
Net aggregate fees				200,000
Expected annual office service fees				200,000
Other recognized expenses of spin-off				3,400,000
Other recognized expenses of spin-off, net of tax				3,000,000
Revenues				1,817,100,000	2,540,800,000	1,801,900,000
Net income				65,600,000	82,600,000	32,400,000
Basic earnings per share				7.82	9.85	3.89
Diluted earnings per share				$ 7.81	$ 9.82	$ 3.88