Contingent Matters (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Contingent Matters [Abstract]
Contingent liability for customer debt	$ 2,302
Maximum potential amount of future payments for customer debt	2,302
Liability recorded related to guarantees	101
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Contingent liabilities for letters of credit	13,256
Number of parties involved in EPA cleanup	300
Letter of Credit Wells Fargo [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Contingent liabilities for letters of credit	12,407
Outstanding letters of credit, maximum expiration date	Nov. 30, 2017
Letters of Credit Osborn [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Performance bank guarantee of subsidiary	830
Letters of Credit Astec Australia [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Performance bank guarantee of subsidiary	19
Letters of Credit Astec Brazil [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Contingent liabilities for letters of credit issued on behalf of foreign subsidiaries	$ 8,674