Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 168,582	$ 173,421
Operating profit (loss)	7,368	5,412
Net income (loss)	4,978	2,802
Operating segments | NACoal
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	28,300	30,287
Operating profit (loss)	11,326	9,742
Net income (loss)	9,289	8,253
Operating segments | HBB
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	114,154	115,740
Operating profit (loss)	782	67
Net income (loss)	689	(261)
Operating segments | KC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	26,665	28,383
Operating profit (loss)	(3,279)	(2,890)
Net income (loss)	(2,143)	(1,868)
Operating segments | NACCO and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit (loss)	(1,520)	(1,441)
Net income (loss)	(1,338)	(1,067)
Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(537)	(989)
Operating profit (loss)	59	(66)
Net income (loss)	$ (1,519)	$ (2,255)