Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 28, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SUN HYDRAULICS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001024795
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 01, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	SNHY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		26,931,821