Related Party Receivables (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Mar. 11, 2014 Velocys [Member]	Jul. 31, 2014 Velocys [Member]	Oct. 31, 2013 MTD Holdings Inc. [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Related-party accounts receivable	$ 198		$ 198		$ 673			$ 673
Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities						2,000
Marketable Securities						1,527	892
Premium Paid, Investments						473
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains							332
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax	$ 251	$ 0	$ 318	$ 0