Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of the Parent (Condensed Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investing Activities
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	$ (57,449)	$ (44,682)	$ (20,218)
Financing Activities
Cash dividends received from Hyster-Yale	0	5,000	10,000
Purchase of treasury shares	(31,306)	(3,178)	(2,063)
Cash dividends paid	(8,104)	(45,130)	(17,795)
Other	(8)	12	(194)
Cash and cash equivalents
Increase (decrease) for the year	(44,465)	(53,794)	76,771
Balance at the beginning of the year	139,855	153,784	92,422
Balance at the end of the year	95,390	139,855	153,784
Parent Company
Operating Activities
Income from continuing operations	44,450	42,163	79,470
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	49,553	51,500	88,175
Parent company only net loss	5,103	9,337	8,705
Net changes related to operating activities	(1,858)	4,428	12,104
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	(6,961)	(4,909)	3,399
Investing Activities
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(238)	(462)	(115)
Net cash used for investing activities	(238)	(462)	(115)
Financing Activities
Cash dividends received from subsidiaries	20,000	40,623	114,368
Cash dividends received from Hyster-Yale	0	5,000	10,000
Notes payable to Bellaire	0	(1,980)	(2,763)
Capital contributions to subsidiaries	0	0	(4,000)
Purchase of treasury shares	(31,306)	(3,178)	(2,063)
Cash dividends paid	(8,104)	(45,130)	(17,795)
Other	(15)	19	(5)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(19,425)	(4,646)	97,742
Cash and cash equivalents
Increase (decrease) for the year	(26,624)	(10,017)	101,026
Balance at the beginning of the year	120,659	130,676	29,650
Balance at the end of the year	$ 94,035	$ 120,659	$ 130,676