Other Events and Transactions (Discontinued Operation Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income tax expense	$ 236	$ 11,044	$ 2,655	$ 12,966
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	5,067	1,691	1,381	(2,096)
HBBHC
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating expenses (a)	1,700		2,800
Spinoff
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	5,067	1,691	1,381	(2,096)
Spinoff | HBBHC
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	181,713	188,390	474,971	486,442
Cost of goods sold	133,586	138,329	353,436	364,052
Gross profit	48,127	50,061	121,535	122,390
Operating expenses (a)	40,697	36,583	114,379	110,117
Operating profit	7,430	13,478	7,156	12,273
Interest expense	423	286	1,300	1,115
Other expense, net	40	457	(939)	288
Income before income taxes	6,967	12,735	6,795	10,870
Income tax expense	2,708	4,003	2,655	3,323
HBBHC net income	4,259	8,732	4,140	7,547
NACCO expenses related to the spin-off	1,664	0	2,759	0
NACCO discontinued operations income tax expense (benefit) adjustments	$ (2,472)	$ 7,041	$ 0	$ 9,643