Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 89,527	$ 72,560
Cash deposited with related persons	210,893	178,727
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $4,605 and $4,361 in 2012 and 2011, respectively)	313,346	215,978
Inventories	198,179	217,710
Other current assets	83,637	75,868
Total current assets	895,582	760,843
Property, Plant and Equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $808,562 and $779,449 in 2012 and 2011, respectively)	362,250	367,844
Other Assets:
Goodwill	35,251	34,474
Other intangible assets, net	16,522	16,883
Deferred income taxes	89,940	90,512
Other	8,027	7,700
Total other assets	149,740	149,569
Total Assets	1,407,572	1,278,256
Current Liabilities:
Long-term debt due within one year	987	955
Accounts payable	197,216	177,996
Accrued salaries and wages	70,940	67,140
Accrued warranty	29,168	29,863
Other accrued liabilities	90,011	52,237
Total current liabilities	388,322	328,191
Long-Term Debt	201,205	199,502
Other Liabilities:
Long-term pension liability	77,419	79,717
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	31,488	31,488
Deferred income taxes	35,312	35,184
Other	21,610	26,348
Total other liabilities	165,829	172,737
Total liabilities	755,356	700,430
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 4,500,000 shares, no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized shares 75,000,000 in 2011 and 2010; issued and outstanding 48,432,860 in 2011 and 48,408,259 in 2010	484	484
Additional paid-in capital	335,287	335,337
Accumulated deficit	192,265	144,424
Accumulated other comprehensive income	26,016	7,173
Total Sauer-Danfoss Inc. stockholders' equity	554,052	487,418
Noncontrolling interest	98,164	90,408
Total stockholders' equity	652,216	577,826
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 1,407,572	$ 1,278,256