Contingent Matters (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Contingent Matters [Abstract]
Liability recorded related to guarantees	$ 1,183
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Contingent liability for customer debt	$ 2,247
Maximum maturity date of customer debt	Jul. 31, 2021
Pellet Plant [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Pellet plant inventory net realizable value	$ 0
Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Contingent liabilities for letters of credit	13,060
Letter of Credit Lender [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Contingent liabilities for letters of credit	$ 11,044
Letter of Credit Lender [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
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
Performance Letters of Credit [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Contingent liabilities for letters of credit issued on behalf of foreign subsidiaries	$ 2,016

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

No definition available.

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- Definition

Maturity date of obligation related to customer debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- 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))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

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- Definition

The current carrying amount of the liability for the freestanding or embedded guarantor's obligations under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115931803&loc=d3e12069-110248

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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

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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

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- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of reorganization value related to estimated net realizable value of asset dispositions. Reorganization value is the amount attributed to the reconstituted entity, as well as the expected net realizable value of those assets that will be disposed before reconstitution occurs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 852
-SubTopic 10
-Section 05
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49179835&loc=d3e54813-112758

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 852
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84165509&loc=d3e56239-112766

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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