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, administrative and general expenses Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions Impairment and restructuring charges Impairment and restructuring charges 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 Net (income) loss from discontinued operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes net of income taxes Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income 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 effect of errors understated/overstated in Net income attributable to Timken Company 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 Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Net Income (Loss) per Common Share Attributable to The Timken Company 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 Basic (loss) earnings per share 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 Diluted (loss) earnings per share 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, at Carrying Value Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Accounts receivable, less allowances: 2010 - $27.6 million; 2009 - $41.6 million Inventory, Net Total Inventories, net Inventories, 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, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment - net 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 Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 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 - 350,201 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 Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total Equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total Liabilities and 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 income from continuing operations 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 (gain) on sale of assets 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 Share-based Compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Stock-based compensation expense 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 Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities - Discontinued Operations Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities - Discontinued Operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Total Net Cash Provided by 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 Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Acquisitions, net of cash acquired of $0.8 million Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Acquisitions Other Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations, Total Net Cash (Used) Provided by Investing Activities - Continuing Operations Net Cash Used by Investing Activities - Discontinued Operations Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Total Net Cash (Used) Provided by 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 Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net Cash Used by Financing Activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets 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] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Equity Investments Financing Arrangements [Abstract] Financing Arrangements. Financing Arrangements Debt 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 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, non-current 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 Investments [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 Taxes Payable, Current Taxes Payable, Current, Total Income taxes payable Acquisitions and Divestitures [Abstract] Acquisitions and Divestitures Abstract. Acquisitions And Divestitures Text Block Acquisitions and Divestitures Acquisitions and Divestitures Disclosure includes a description of business combinations and divested businesses that occurred during the periods presented. Disclosure includes a description of business combinations (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. This element may be used as a single block of text to encapsulate the entire disclosure (including data and tables) regarding business combinations, including leverage buyout transactions (as applicable). Disclosure also includes the facts and circumstances leading to the completed or expected disposal, manner and timing of disposal, the gain or loss recognized in the income statement and the income statement caption that includes that gain or loss, amounts of revenues and pretax profit or loss reported in discontinued operations, the segment in which the disposal group was reported, and the classification (whether sold or classified as held for sale) and carrying value of the assets and liabilities comprising the disposal group. Includes all disposal groups, including those classified as components of the entity (discontinued operations). Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Dividend per share Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Foreign currency translation adjustment Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Other Paid-In Capital Other Paid-In Capital Treasury Stock Treasury Stock Earnings Invested in the Business Earnings Invested in the Business Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Non-controlling Interest Noncontrolling Interest Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans, Tax Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans, Tax, Total Pension and postretirement liability adjustment,tax Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net of Tax Pension and postretirement liability adjustment, (net of income tax of $232.7, $64.6 & $22.1 million in 2008, 2009 & 2010, respectively) Other Comprehensive Income, Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Pension and postretirement liability adjustment Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Unrealized gain on marketable securities (net of income tax of $0.1 million year 2008 ) Unrealized loss on marketable securities Other Comprehensive Income, Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments, net of reclassifications Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments, net of reclassifications Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total comprehensive income (loss) Total comprehensive loss Total comprehensive loss Stated Capital Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Issuance of 738,044, 142,531 & 1,119,284 shares from authorized in the year 2008, 2009 & 2010, respectively Issuance of 747,887, 142,531 & 1,119,284 shares from authorized in the year 2008, 2009 & 2010, respectively Issuance of 1,119,284 shares from authorized Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Stock issuance from authorized shares Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued Issuance (tender) of 9,843, 164,985 & 170,238 shares from treasury in the year 2008, 2009 & 2010, respectively Issuance (tender) of 877,039 shares from treasury Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Treasury Stock Reissued Stock issuance from treasury shares Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation Tax benefit from stock compensation Tax benefit from compensation Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Dividends - $0.70, $0.45 & $0.53 per share in the year 2008, 2009 & 2010, respectively Dividends - $0.35 per share Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Dividends declared to noncontrolling interest Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested, Total Divestitures, net of cash divested of $1.2 million Accounts receivable securitization financing borrowings Accounts receivable securitization financing borrowings Represents borrowings under the terms of the Company's Accounts Receivable Asset Securitization Agreement. Under this agreement, the Company sells, on an ongoing basis, certain domestic trade receivables to a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary that in turn uses the trade receivables to secure borrowings which are funded through a vehicle that issues commercial paper in the short-term market. Accounts receivable securitization financing payments Accounts receivable securitization financing payments Represents payments under the Accounts Receivable Asset Agreement. Under the terms of this agreement, the Company sells, on an ongoing basis, certain domestic trade receivables to a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary that in turn uses the trade receivables to secure borrowings which are funded through a vehicle that issues commercial paper in the short-term market. Accounts receivable securitization financing payments Payments of Financing Costs Deferred financing costs Payments of Financing Costs, Total Deferred financing costs Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies. Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Significant Accounting Policies Stock Compensation Plans [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stock Compensation Plans Research, Development, and Computer Software Disclosure [Text Block] Research and Development Prior-Period Adjustments [Abstract] Prior Period Adjustments. Parent [Member] Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax Unrealized gain on marketable securities, tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Text Block Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Disclosure of amounts comprising accumulated other comprehensive income. Includes: (1) amounts of foreign currency adjustments, net of tax; (2) amounts of pension and postretirement adjustments, net of tax; (3) amounts of unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax; and (4) adjustments to the fair value of open foreign currency cash flow hedges, net of tax. Contingencies [Abstract] Contingencies. Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Contingencies Research and Development [Abstract] Cash Divested from Deconsolidation Amount of cash divested Receipt Of Dumping And Subsidy Payment Net Of Expenses Receipt of Continued Dumping & Subsidy Offset Act (CDSOA) payment, net of expenses Amounts represent receipts from The Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act, net of the entity's expenses. The Continued Dumping Subsidy Offset Act provides for distribution of monies collected by U.S. Customs from antidumping cases to qualifying domestic producers where the domestic producers have continued to invest in their technology, equipment and people. Accounts Payable, Current Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts payable Other Liabilities, Current Other Liabilities, Current, Total Other current liabilities Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred Stock, shares authorized (Class I & Class II Preferred Stock)