Seasonality (Details)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Seasonality [Abstract]
Percentage of annual revenues occur during first six months of the year, minimum (in hundredths)	73.00%
Percentage of annual revenues occur during first six months of the year, maximum (in hundredths)	76.00%

Annual revenue seasonal trend for first six months of the year, lower percentage range.

No definition available.

Name:	aste_AnnualRevenueSeasonalTrendForFirstSixMonthsOfYearLowerPercentageRange
Namespace Prefix:	aste_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration