Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Subsidiary shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) shares
Foreign Currency Translation [Abstract]
Foreign currency transaction gains and (losses), net	$ (246)	$ (1,377)	$ (1,971)
Allowance for doubtful accounts [Roll Forward]
Allowance balance, beginning of year	1,837	2,248	1,708
Provision	280	18	1,011
Write offs	(560)	(357)	(465)
Other	(46)	(72)	(6)
Allowance balance, end of year	1,511	1,837	2,248
Advertising Expense [Abstract]
Advertising costs	$ 4,045	$ 4,231	$ 3,657
Denominator [Abstract]
Denominator for basic earnings per share (in shares) | shares	22,992	22,934	22,819
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Employee stock options and restricted stock units (in shares) | shares	85	123	176
Supplemental executive retirement plan (in shares) | shares	65	63	110
Denominator for diluted earnings per share (in shares) | shares	23,142	23,120	23,105
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing subsidiaries | Subsidiary	16
Minimum [Member]
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Product warranty reserve term	3 months
Maximum [Member]
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Product warranty reserve term	2 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	99.00%
Astec do Brasil Fabricacao de Equipamentos LTDA [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage ownership of subsidiary	92.00%
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	$ 3,250
Dealer Network and Customer Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful lives of definite lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	8 years
Dealer Network and Customer Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful lives of definite lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	19 years
Trade Name [Member]
Estimated useful lives of definite lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	15 years
Other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful lives of definite lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	6 years
Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful lives of definite lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	19 years
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment in retained earnings, net of tax	$ (95)
Income tax benefits	$ (220)