The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit issued on behalf of foreign subsidiaries.

No definition available.

Name:	aste_ContingentLiabilitiesForLettersOfCreditIssuedOnBehalfOfForeignSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	aste_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of scheduled payments made to customer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aste_ContractWithCustomerScheduledPaymentsToCustomer
Namespace Prefix:	aste_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of unpaid liability under the agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aste_ContractWithCustomerUnpaidLiability
Namespace Prefix:	aste_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Forgiveness of accounts receivable on liability and other provisions of the exit contract.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aste_ForgivenessOfAccountsReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	aste_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Performance bank guarantee issued by foreign subsidiaries banks to foreign subsidiaries customers.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aste_PerformanceBankGuaranteeSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix:	aste_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents period for payment of contract liability.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aste_PeriodForPaymentOfContractLiability
Namespace Prefix:	aste_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of liability for consideration received or receivable from customer which is not included in transaction price, when consideration is expected to be refunded to customer, classified as current.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 27
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=108792157&loc=SL49130611-203046-203046

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerRefundLiabilityCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99377789&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount or range of possible amounts of gain that could be realized upon the resolution of a contingency.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6397426&loc=d3e17499-108355

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainContingencyUnrecordedAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1,2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GrossProfit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount, net of valuation reserves and adjustments, as of the balance sheet date of merchandise or goods held by the company that are readily available for sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 330
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(6)(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryFinishedGoodsNetOfReserves
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of loss contingency liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82911808&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115931803&loc=d3e12021-110248

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, excluding tax collected from customer, of revenue from satisfaction of performance obligation by transferring promised good or service to customer. Tax collected from customer is tax assessed by governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transaction, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value added and excise.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
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Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109196051&loc=SL49130539-203045

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109196051&loc=SL49130545-203045

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=aste_PelletPlantAgreementSaleChargeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_US
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=aste_EquipmentSalesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=aste_PartsAndComponentSalesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=aste_ServiceAndEquipmentInstallationRevenueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=aste_UsedEquipmentSalesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=us-gaap_CargoAndFreightMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ProductOrServiceAxis=aste_OtherRevenuesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_MajorCustomersAxis=aste_PelletPlantMember
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis=aste_LetterOfCreditWellsFargoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis=aste_AstecBrazilMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis=us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
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Contingent Matters (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		33 Months Ended
Contingent Matters (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 20, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Contingent liability for customer debt	$ 2,713			$ 2,713		$ 2,713
Liability recorded related to guarantees	1,193			1,193		1,193
Revenues from sales contract	256,613		$ 252,054	854,595	$ 872,364
Gross margin	58,284		$ 39,084	137,398	$ 180,379
Inventory value	153,158			153,158		153,158		$ 94,571
Pellet Plant Agreement Sale Charge [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Gross margin		$ (71,029)
Domestic [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Revenues from sales contract	194,166			667,630
Domestic [Member] \| Equipment Sales [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Revenues from sales contract	127,049			515,417
Domestic [Member] \| Pellet Plant Agreement Sale Charge [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Revenues from sales contract		$ (75,315)		(75,315)
Domestic [Member] \| Parts and Component Sales [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Revenues from sales contract	51,365			180,685
Domestic [Member] \| Service and Equipment Installation Revenue [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Revenues from sales contract	4,337			13,866
Domestic [Member] \| Used Equipment Sales [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Revenues from sales contract	4,460			10,467
Domestic [Member] \| Freight Revenue [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Revenues from sales contract	5,853			19,778
Domestic [Member] \| Other [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Revenues from sales contract	1,102			$ 2,732
Pellet Plant [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Revenues from sales contract						143,300
Agreement liability amount expected to pay to customer							$ 68,000
Number of days required for payment agreement amount				120 days
Forgiveness of accounts receivable							$ 7,315
Scheduled payments to customer	51,000
Unpaid liability	17,000			$ 17,000		17,000
Gain contingency, unrecorded amount	7,000			7,000		7,000
Inventory value	59,522			59,522		59,522
Letter of Credit Wells Fargo [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Contingent liabilities for letters of credit	9,546			$ 9,546		9,546
Letter of credit expiration date				Oct. 31, 2020
Astec Brazil Working Capital Loans [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Contingent liabilities for letters of credit issued on behalf of foreign subsidiaries	3,200			$ 3,200		3,200
Letter of Credit [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Performance bank guarantee, subsidiary obligations to fulfill contracts	1,700			1,700		1,700
Letter of Credit [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Contingent liabilities for letters of credit	$ 11,246			$ 11,246		$ 11,246