Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	$ 228,614	$ 210,067	$ 620,683	$ 555,181
Operating profit (loss)	16,682	14,836	32,507	30,505
Income from continuing operations	12,325	10,376	21,894	18,531
Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	(973)	(919)	(2,511)	(2,587)
Operating profit (loss)	(33)	1	60	126
Income from continuing operations	1,063	(768)	(2,676)	(3,018)
NACoal
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	52,870	38,012	147,584	81,545
Operating profit (loss)	9,740	8,632	32,721	29,712
Income from continuing operations	7,794	8,143	26,337	24,480
HBB
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	134,099	124,820	354,901	340,436
Operating profit (loss)	11,788	8,663	18,461	15,862
Income from continuing operations	7,427	5,206	10,913	8,447
KC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	42,618	48,154	120,709	135,787
Operating profit (loss)	(3,658)	(1,873)	(14,045)	(11,614)
Income from continuing operations	(2,822)	(1,208)	(8,492)	(7,214)
NACCO and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	(1,155)	(587)	(4,690)	(3,581)
Income from continuing operations	$ (1,137)	$ (997)	$ (4,188)	$ (4,164)