Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Foreign Currency Translation [Abstract]
Foreign currency transaction gains and (losses), net	$ 431	$ (246)	$ (1,377)
Allowance for doubtful accounts [Roll Forward]
Allowance balance, beginning of year	1,511	1,837	2,248
Provision	482	280	18
Write offs	(308)	(560)	(357)
Other	31	(46)	(72)
Allowance balance, end of year	1,716	1,511	1,837
Advertising Expense [Abstract]
Advertising costs	$ 3,793	$ 4,045	$ 4,231
Denominator [Abstract]
Denominator for basic earnings per share (in shares)	23,025	22,992	22,934
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Restricted stock units (in shares)	96	85	123
Supplemental executive retirement plan (in shares)	63	65	63
Denominator for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	23,184	23,142	23,120
Minimum [Member]
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Product warranty reserve term	3 months
Maximum [Member]
Product Warranty Liability [Line Items]
Product warranty reserve term	2 years
Aviation Equipment [Member]
Useful Lives [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of assets	20 years
Buildings [Member]
Useful Lives [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of assets	40 years
Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Useful Lives [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of assets	3 years
Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Useful Lives [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of assets	10 years
Astec do Brasil Fabricacao de Equipamentos LTDA [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage ownership of subsidiary	92.00%
Osborn Engineered Products [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage ownership of subsidiary	99.00%
General Liability Insurance [Member]
Self-Insurance Reserves [Abstract]
Amount captive is liable per occurrence of claims	$ 1,000
Amount captive is liable per year in the aggregate	3,000
Workers' Compensation Insurance [Member]
Self-Insurance Reserves [Abstract]
Amount captive is liable per occurrence of claims	350
Amount captive is liable per year in the aggregate	$ 3,250
Dealer Network and Customer Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful lives of definite lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	8 years
Dealer Network and Customer Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful lives of definite lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	19 years
Trade Names [Member]
Estimated useful lives of definite lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	15 years
Other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful lives of definite lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	5 years
Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful lives of definite lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives of intangible assets	19 years