Divestitures (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 Tennant CEE GmbH and OOO Tennant USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 Tennant CEE GmbH and OOO Tennant EUR (€)	Jul. 31, 2012 Tennant CEE GmbH and OOO Tennant USD ($)
Divestitures
Date of divestiture					Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012
Total selling price						€ 6,166
Cash received as part of selling price					1,014	815
Total amount of installment payments to be received quarterly in 2013						2,126
Total amount remaining to be received quarterly during 2013					720	532
Amount of installment payments to be received on the first, second and third anniversary dates						3,225
Total remaining amount of installment payments to be received on the second and third anniversary dates					2,909	2,150
Gain on Sale of Business	0	784	0	784
Assets and Liabilities Divested [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable							4,398
Inventory							4,271
Other Current Assets							87
Current Assets							8,756
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net							170
Total Assets Divested							8,926
Current Liabilities							1,121
Total Liabilities Divested							1,121
Net Assets Divested							$ 7,805