Cost of products sold Cost of Goods Sold Gross Profit Gross Profit, Total Gross Profit Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Total Selling, general and administrative expenses Impairment and restructuring charges Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions Operating Income (Loss) Operating Income (Loss), Total Operating Income (Loss) Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Interest Expense Interest income Investment Income, Interest Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income (expense), net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest, Total Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Provision for (benefit from) income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent (Earnings) loss from discontinued operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes Loss (earnings)?from discontinued operations Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net Income (Loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Timken Company Net income (loss) attributable to The Timken Company Amounts Attributable to The Timken Company's Common Shareholders: Income Amounts Attributable to Parent, Disclosures [Abstract] Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent Income from continuing operations Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income taxes Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Net Income (Loss) per Common Share Attributable to The Timken Company's Common Shareholders Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract] Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Share, Total Earnings (loss) per share - Continuing Operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Earnings (loss) per share - Discontinued Operations Earnings Per Share, Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total Basic earnings (loss) per share Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Diluted earnings (loss) per share - Continuing Operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share Diluted earnings (loss) per share - Discontinued Operations Diluted (loss) earnings per share ? Discontinued Operations Earnings Per Share, Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total Diluted earnings (loss) per share Dividends per share Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Consolidated Balance Sheet [Abstract] Deferred Charges And Prepaid Expenses Deferred charges and prepaid expenses Deferred charges represent the value of expenditures made during the current reporting period for benefits that will be received over a period of years. Prepaid expenses reflect the carrying amount for an unclassified balance sheet date of expenditures made in advance of when the economic benefit of the cost will be realized, and which will be expensed in future periods with the passage of time or when a triggering event occurs. For a classified balance sheet, prepaid expenses represent the noncurrent portion of prepaid expenses (the current portion has a separate concept). Deferred charges differ from prepaid expenses in that they usually extend over a long period of time and may or may not be regularly recurring costs of operation. ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Accounts receivable, less allowances: 2010 - $31.0 million; 2009 - $41.6 million Inventories, net Inventory, Net, Total Inventory, Net Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Other current assets Other Assets, Current Total Current Assets Assets, Current, Total Assets, Current Property, Plant and Equipment - Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Goodwill Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill Other intangible assets Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill), Total Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent, Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Other non-current assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total Assets Assets LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Short-term debt Short-term Borrowings, Total Short-term Borrowings Salaries, wages and benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current, Total Employee-related Liabilities, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current Current portion of long-term debt Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Total Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Liabilities, Current Non-Current Liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Long-term debt Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Total Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Accrued pension cost Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent Accrued postretirement benefits cost Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Other non-current liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total Non-Current Liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Liabilities, Noncurrent Other paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Earnings invested in the business Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Treasury Stock, Value Treasury shares at cost (2010 - 1,412,636 shares; 2009 - 179,963 shares) Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury shares at cost (2009 - 174,191 shares; 2008 - 344,948 shares) Total Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total Equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total Liabilities and Equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Class I and II Serial Preferred Stock without par value: Authorized - 10,000,000 shares each class, none issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Common Stock, Value, Issued Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock without par value: Authorized - 200,000,000 shares Issued (including shares in treasury) (2010 - 98,153,317 shares; 2009 - 97,034,033 shares) Stated capital Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] CASH PROVIDED (USED) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) [Abstract] Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Impairment charges Asset Impairment Charges, Total Asset Impairment Charges Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment, Total Loss (gain) on disposals of property, plant and equipment Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Deferred income tax provision (benefit) Stock based compensation expense Share-based Compensation, Total Share-based Compensation Pension and other postretirement expense Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense, Total Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Contributions Pension contributions and other postretirement benefit payments Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Contributions, Total Pension and other postretirement benefit payments Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Inventories Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Other - net Other - net Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities - Continuing Operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities ? Discontinued Operations Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities - Discontinued Operations Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Acquisitions Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Other Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Net Cash Used by Investing Activities - Continuing Operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net Cash Used by Investing Activities - Discontinued Operations Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations Net Cash Used by Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Net proceeds from common share activity Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Payments on long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Repayments of Long-term Debt Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt Short-term debt activity - net Short-term debt activity - net Net Cash Used by Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information. Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] New Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract] New Accounting Pronouncements Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Inventories [Abstract] Inventories Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Product Warranty [Abstract] Product Warranty Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Information. Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value [Abstract] Fair Value. Fair Value Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Impairment and Restructuring Charges [Abstract] Impairment and Restructuring Charges Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Financing Arrangements [Abstract] Financing Arrangements. Financing Arrangements Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Divestitures [Abstract] Divestitures Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Allowances for accounts receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Preferred stock, shares issued (Class I & Class II Preferred stock) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common Stock, Shares, Issued Treasury shares Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Shares Interest expense Payments on long-term debt Other Acquisitions Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Other Assets [Abstract] Other Assets. Total Other Assets Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of goodwill, other intangible assets, deferred income taxes and other non-current assets. Total Other Assets Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Net sales Sales Revenue, Goods, Net, Total Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Payments to Acquire Productive Assets, Total Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Cash dividends paid to shareholders Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Cash dividends paid to shareholders Equity [Abstract] Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans [Abstract] Common stock, no par value Common Stock, No Par Value Preferred stock, no par value (Class I & Class II Preferred stock) Preferred Stock, No Par Value Other Assets Other Liabilities, Current Other Liabilities, Current, Total Other current liabilities Preferred stock, shares authorized (Class I & Class II Preferred stock) Preferred Stock Shares Authorised The maximum number of Class I and Class II nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issue permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws. Accounts Payable, Current Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts payable Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Purchase of treasury shares Purchase of treasury shares Subsequent Events Abstract. Subsequent Events [Abstract] Schedule of Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent Events Increase Decrease In Income Tax Income taxes The net change during the reporting period in income taxes. The total change represents the net effect of cash payments due to taxing authorities offset by refunds of overpayments or recoveries of income taxes paid.