Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 173,421	$ 193,734
Operating profit (loss)	5,412	3,241
Net income (loss)	2,802	1,027
Operating segments | NACoal
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	30,287	41,319
Operating profit (loss)	9,742	5,207
Net income (loss)	8,253	4,547
Operating segments | HBB
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	115,740	123,293
Operating profit (loss)	67	2,188
Net income (loss)	(261)	618
Operating segments | KC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	28,383	29,967
Operating profit (loss)	(2,890)	(3,045)
Net income (loss)	(1,868)	(1,893)
Operating segments | NACCO and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	(1,441)	(1,289)
Net income (loss)	(1,067)	(1,239)
Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(989)	(845)
Operating profit (loss)	(66)	180
Net income (loss)	$ (2,255)	$ (1,006)