Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 83,081	$ 72,560
Cash deposited with related persons	338,566	178,727
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $4,525 and $4,361 in 2012 and 2011, respectively)	226,814	215,978
Inventories	185,341	217,710
Other current assets	85,185	75,868
Total current assets	918,987	760,843
Property, Plant and Equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $821,572 and $779,449 in 2012 and 2011, respectively)	331,958	367,844
Other Assets:
Goodwill	34,882	34,474
Other intangible assets, net	15,988	16,883
Deferred income taxes	92,195	90,512
Other	7,644	7,700
Total other assets	150,709	149,569
Total Assets	1,401,654	1,278,256
Current Liabilities:
Long-term debt due within one year	948	955
Accounts payable	165,064	177,996
Accrued salaries and wages	73,551	67,140
Accrued warranty	24,975	29,863
Other accrued liabilities	91,139	52,237
Total current liabilities	355,677	328,191
Long-Term Debt	178,158	199,502
Other Liabilities:
Long-term pension liability	73,185	79,717
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	31,488	31,488
Deferred income taxes	34,591	35,184
Other	24,631	26,348
Total other liabilities	163,895	172,737
Total liabilities	697,730	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 2012 and 2011; issued and outstanding 48,457,461 in 2012 and 48,432,860 in 2011	485	484
Additional paid-in capital	335,371	335,337
Retained earnings	255,388	144,424
Accumulated other comprehensive income	10,972	7,173
Total Sauer-Danfoss Inc. stockholders' equity	602,216	487,418
Noncontrolling interest	101,708	90,408
Total stockholders' equity	703,924	577,826
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 1,401,654	$ 1,278,256