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, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investing Activities
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	$ (57,500)	$ (57,449)	$ (44,682)
Financing Activities
Cash dividends received from Hyster-Yale	0	0	5,000
Purchase of treasury shares	(35,075)	(31,306)	(3,178)
Cash dividends paid	(7,755)	(8,104)	(45,130)
Other	(5)	(8)	12
Cash and cash equivalents
Decrease for the year	(34,255)	(44,465)	(53,794)
Balance at the beginning of the year	95,390	139,855	153,784
Balance at the end of the year	61,135	95,390	139,855
Parent Company
Operating Activities
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(38,118)	44,450	42,163
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(33,991)	49,553	51,500
Parent company only net loss	4,127	5,103	9,337
Net changes related to operating activities	5,710	(1,858)	4,428
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	1,583	(6,961)	(4,909)
Investing Activities
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(103)	(238)	(462)
Net cash used for investing activities	(103)	(238)	(462)
Financing Activities
Cash dividends received from subsidiaries	22,300	20,000	40,623
Cash dividends received from Hyster-Yale	0	0	5,000
Notes payable to Bellaire	(1,750)	0	(1,980)
Capital contributions to subsidiaries	(19,800)	0	0
Purchase of treasury shares	(35,075)	(31,306)	(3,178)
Cash dividends paid	(7,755)	(8,104)	(45,130)
Other	(20)	(15)	19
Net cash provided by financing activities	(42,100)	(19,425)	(4,646)
Cash and cash equivalents
Decrease for the year	(40,620)	(26,624)	(10,017)
Balance at the beginning of the year	94,035	120,659	130,676
Balance at the end of the year	$ 53,415	$ 94,035	$ 120,659