Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Foreign Currency Translation [Abstract]
Foreign currency transaction gains and (losses), net	$ (1,377)	$ (1,971)	$ (522)
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Maximum time period for liquid investments to be considered cash equivalents	3 months
Allowance for doubtful accounts [Roll Forward]
Allowance balance, beginning of year	$ 2,248	1,708	2,143
Provision for doubtful accounts	18	1,011	629
Write offs	(357)	(465)	(1,042)
Other	(72)	(6)	(22)
Allowance balance, end of year	1,837	2,248	1,708
Advertising Expense [Abstract]
Advertising costs	$ 4,231	$ 3,657	$ 3,770
Product Warranty Reserve [Abstract]
Product warranty reserve term, minimum	3 months
Standard product warranty term, maximum	2 years
Denominator [Abstract]
Denominator for basic earnings per share (in shares)	22,934	22,819	22,749
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Employee stock options and restricted stock units (in shares)	123	176	218
Supplemental executive retirement plan (in shares)	63	110	114
Denominator for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	23,120	23,105	23,081
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Retained earnings	$ 490,933	$ 467,337
Prepaid expenses	$ 26,521	17,933
Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful lives of definite lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful lives of definite lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	15 years
Aviation Equipment [Member]
Useful Lives [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of assets	20 years
Buildings [Member]
Useful Lives [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of assets	40 years
Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Useful Lives [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of assets	3 years
Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Useful Lives [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of assets	10 years
Osborn Engineered Products [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage ownership of subsidiary	96.00%
Astec do Brasil Fabricacao de Equipamentos LTDA [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage ownership of subsidiary	78.00%
General Liability Insurance [Member]
Self-Insurance Reserves [Abstract]
Amount captive is liable per occurrence of claims	$ 1,000
Amount captive is liable per year in the aggregate	3,000
Workers' Compensation Insurance [Member]
Self-Insurance Reserves [Abstract]
Amount captive is liable per occurrence of claims	350
Amount captive is liable per year in the aggregate	1,000
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Retained earnings	(3,200)	$ (3,200)	$ (3,200)
Prepaid expenses	$ (3,200)