Business Segments - Segment Revenue and Segment Operating Profit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
As reported	$ 405,000	$ 349,600	$ 328,800	$ 267,100	$ 354,400	$ 273,300	$ 254,600	$ 225,000	$ 1,350,500	$ 1,107,300	$ 984,200
Segment operating profit									158,300	123,600	102,700
Restructuring expense									(12,300)	0	(14,500)
Net interest expense									(11,000)	(7,900)	(7,600)
Total corporate items									(64,300)	(41,400)	(58,000)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes									94,000	82,200	44,700
Provision for income taxes									26,000	26,200	13,900
Income from continuing operations	23,400	20,600	18,800	5,200	20,900	12,700	14,400	8,000	68,000	56,000	30,800
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(300)	0	0	(100)	0	(100)	0	0	(400)	(100)	0
Net income	$ 23,100	$ 20,600	$ 18,800	$ 5,100	$ 20,900	$ 12,600	$ 14,400	$ 8,000	67,600	55,900	30,800
Intercompany Eliminations
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
As reported									0	(900)	(700)
Corporate, Non-Segment
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Corporate expense									(42,600)	(34,600)	(37,500)
Restructuring expense									(12,300)	0	(14,500)
Net interest expense									(9,400)	(6,800)	(6,000)
JBT FoodTech | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
As reported									928,000	725,100	634,700
Segment operating profit									113,200	85,400	72,700
JBT AeroTech | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
As reported									422,500	383,100	350,200
Segment operating profit									$ 45,100	$ 38,200	$ 30,000