Guarantees	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Guarantees [Abstract]
Schedule of Guarantor Obligations [Text Block]	Guarantees Under various financing arrangements for certain customers, including independent 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 March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were $175.0 million and $179.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2012, 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 unaudited condensed 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 March 31, 2012 was approximately $200.7 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 in which it has provided recourse or repurchase obligations. As of March 31, 2012, the Company did not believe there was a significant risk of non-payment or non-performance of the obligations by these entities; however, based upon the economic environment, 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 $40.3 million of recourse or repurchase obligations for these certain eligible dealers are limited to 7.5% of their original loan balance, or $9.2 million as of March 31, 2012. The $40.3 million is included in the $175.0 million of total amounts subject to recourse or repurchase obligations at March 31, 2012. Generally, NMHG sells lift trucks through its independent dealer network or directly to customers. These dealers and customers may enter into a financing transaction with NFS or other unrelated third parties. NFS provides debt financing to dealers and lease financing to both dealers and customers. On occasion, the credit quality of a customer or credit concentration issues within GECC may necessitate NMHG providing recourse or repurchase obligations of the lift trucks purchased by customers and financed through NFS. At March 31, 2012, approximately $117.4 million of the Company's total recourse or repurchase obligations of $175.0 million related to transactions with NFS. In addition, in connection with the joint venture agreement, NMHG also provides a guarantee to GECC for 20% of NFS' debt with GECC, such that NMHG would become liable under the terms of NFS' debt agreements with GECC in the case of default by NFS. At March 31, 2012, the amount of NFS' debt guaranteed by NMHG was $144.2 million. NFS has not defaulted under the terms of this debt financing in the past, and although there can be no assurances, NMHG is not aware of any circumstances that would cause NFS to default in future periods.

Guarantees

Under various financing arrangements for certain customers, including independent 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 March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were $175.0 million and $179.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2012, 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 unaudited condensed 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 March 31, 2012 was approximately $200.7 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 in which it has provided recourse or repurchase obligations. As of March 31, 2012, the Company did not believe there was a significant risk of non-payment or non-performance of the obligations by these entities; however, based upon the economic environment, 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 $40.3 million of recourse or repurchase obligations for these certain eligible dealers are limited to 7.5% of their original loan balance, or $9.2 million as of March 31, 2012. The $40.3 million is included in the $175.0 million of total amounts subject to recourse or repurchase obligations at March 31, 2012.

Generally, NMHG sells lift trucks through its independent dealer network or directly to customers. These dealers and customers may enter into a financing transaction with NFS or other unrelated third parties. NFS provides debt financing to dealers and lease financing to both dealers and customers. On occasion, the credit quality of a customer or credit concentration issues within GECC may necessitate NMHG providing recourse or repurchase obligations of the lift trucks purchased by customers and financed through NFS. At March 31, 2012, approximately $117.4 million of the Company's total recourse or repurchase obligations of $175.0 million related to transactions with NFS. In addition, in connection with the joint venture agreement, NMHG also provides a guarantee to GECC for 20% of NFS' debt with GECC, such that NMHG would become liable under the terms of NFS' debt agreements with GECC in the case of default by NFS. At March 31, 2012, the amount of NFS' debt guaranteed by NMHG was $144.2 million. NFS has not defaulted under the terms of this debt financing in the past, and although there can be no assurances, NMHG is not aware of any circumstances that would cause NFS to default in future periods.