Guarantees	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Guarantees [Abstract]
Guarantees	Guarantees Under various financing arrangements for certain customers, including independently owned retail dealerships, NMHG provides recourse or repurchase obligations such that NMHG would be obligated in the event of default by the customer. Terms of the third-party financing arrangements for which NMHG is providing recourse or repurchase obligations generally range from one to five years. Total amounts subject to recourse or repurchase obligations at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were $179.1 million and $193.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, losses anticipated under the terms of the recourse or repurchase obligations were not significant and reserves have been provided for such losses based on historical experience in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. NMHG generally retains a security interest in the related assets financed such that, in the event NMHG would become obligated under the terms of the recourse or repurchase obligations, NMHG would take title to the assets financed. The fair value of collateral held at December 31, 2011 was approximately $201.2 million based on Company estimates. The Company estimates the fair value of the collateral using information regarding the original sales price, the current age of the equipment and general market conditions that influence the value of both new and used lift trucks. The Company also regularly monitors the external credit ratings of the entities for which it has provided recourse or repurchase obligations. As of December 31, 2011, the Company did not believe there was a significant risk of non-payment or non-performance of the obligations by these entities; however, there can be no assurance that the risk may not increase in the future. In addition, NMHG has an agreement with GECC to limit its exposure to losses at certain eligible dealers. Under this agreement, losses related to $44.3 million of recourse or repurchase obligations for these certain eligible dealers are limited to 7.5% of their original loan balance, or $9.6 million as of December 31, 2011. The $44.3 million is included in the $179.1 million of total amounts subject to recourse or repurchase obligations at December 31, 2011.

Guarantees

Under various financing arrangements for certain customers, including independently owned retail dealerships, NMHG provides recourse or repurchase obligations such that NMHG would be obligated in the event of default by the customer. Terms of the third-party financing arrangements for which NMHG is providing recourse or repurchase obligations generally range from one to five years. Total amounts subject to recourse or repurchase obligations at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were $179.1 million and $193.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, losses anticipated under the terms of the recourse or repurchase obligations were not significant and reserves have been provided for such losses based on historical experience in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. NMHG generally retains a security interest in the related assets financed such that, in the event NMHG would become obligated under the terms of the recourse or repurchase obligations, NMHG would take title to the assets financed. The fair value of collateral held at December 31, 2011 was approximately $201.2 million based on Company estimates. The Company estimates the fair value of the collateral using information regarding the original sales price, the current age of the equipment and general market conditions that influence the value of both new and used lift trucks. The Company also regularly monitors the external credit ratings of the entities for which it has provided recourse or repurchase obligations. As of December 31, 2011, the Company did not believe there was a significant risk of non-payment or non-performance of the obligations by these entities; however, there can be no assurance that the risk may not increase in the future. In addition, NMHG has an agreement with GECC to limit its exposure to losses at certain eligible dealers. Under this agreement, losses related to $44.3 million of recourse or repurchase obligations for these certain eligible dealers are limited to 7.5% of their original loan balance, or $9.6 million as of December 31, 2011. The $44.3 million is included in the $179.1 million of total amounts subject to recourse or repurchase obligations at December 31, 2011.