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Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block]
The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements represent the consolidation of all wholly-owned companies, majority-owned companies and joint ventures where the Company has been determined to be the primary beneficiary. The Company records investments in all other affiliate companies using the equity method of accounting when it has significant influence. Other investments including those representing an ownership of less than 20% are recorded at cost. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Interest in Unincorporated Joint Ventures or Partnerships, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Basis of Consolidation of Joint Ventures and Other Variable Interest Entities

GIMA is a joint venture between AGCO and Claas Tractor SAS to cooperate in the field of purchasing, design and manufacturing of components for agricultural tractors. Each party has a 50% ownership interest in the joint venture and has an investment of approximately €4.2 million in the joint venture. Both parties purchase all of the production output of the joint venture. The Company does not consolidate the GIMA joint venture into the Company’s results of operations or financial position, as the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in GIMA based on the shared powers of both joint venture partners to direct the activities that most significantly impact GIMA’s financial performance.

Rabobank is a 51% owner in the Company’s retail finance joint ventures, which are located in the United States, Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Brazil, Argentina and Australia. The majority of the assets of the Company’s retail finance joint ventures represents finance receivables. The majority of the liabilities represents notes payable and accrued interest. Under the various joint venture agreements, Rabobank or its affiliates provide financing to the joint venture companies, primarily through lines of credit. The Company does not guarantee the debt obligations of the retail finance joint ventures. The Company’s retail finance joint ventures provide retail financing and wholesale financing to its dealers (Notes 4 and 13). The Company has determined that the retail finance joint ventures do not meet the consolidation requirements and should be accounted for under the voting interest model. In making this determination, the Company evaluated the sufficiency of the equity at risk for each retail finance joint venture, the ability of the joint venture investors to make decisions about the joint ventures’ activities that have a significant effect on the success of the entities and their economic performance, the obligations to absorb expected losses of the joint ventures, and the rights to receive expected residual returns.

On January 3, 2011, the Company acquired 50% of AGCO-Amity JV, LLC (“AGCO-Amity JV”), thereby creating a joint venture between the Company and Amity Technology LLC. AGCO-Amity JV is located in North Dakota and manufactures air-seeding and tillage equipment. As the Company has a controlling voting interest to direct the activities that most significantly impact the joint venture, the Company has consolidated the joint venture’s operations in the Company’s results of operations and financial position commencing as of and from the date of the formation of the joint venture.

On November 30, 2011, the Company acquired 80% of Shandong Dafeng Machinery Co., Ltd. (“Dafeng”) for approximately 172.0 million yuan, or approximately $27.0 million. Dafeng is located in Yanzhou, China and manufactures a complete range of corn, grain, rice and soybean harvesting machines for Chinese domestic markets. As the Company has a controlling voting interest to direct the activities that most significantly impact Dafeng, the Company has consolidated Dafeng's operations in the Company’s results of operations and financial position commencing as of and from the date of the acquisition.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Revenue Recognition

Sales of equipment and replacement parts are recorded by the Company when title and risks of ownership have been transferred to an independent dealer, distributor or other customer. Payment terms vary by market and product, with fixed payment schedules on all sales. The terms of sale generally require that a purchase order or order confirmation accompany all shipments. Title generally passes to the dealer or distributor upon shipment, and the risk of loss upon damage, theft or destruction of the equipment is the responsibility of the dealer, distributor or third-party carrier. In certain foreign countries, the Company retains a form of title to goods delivered to dealers until the dealer makes payment so that the Company can recover the goods in the event of customer default on payment. This occurs as the laws of some foreign countries do not provide for a seller’s retention of a security interest in goods in the same manner as established in the United States Uniform Commercial Code. The only right the Company retains with respect to the title are those enabling recovery of the goods in the event of customer default on payment. The dealer or distributor may not return equipment or replacement parts while its contract with the Company is in force. Replacement parts may be returned only under promotional and annual return programs. Provisions for returns under these programs are made at the time of sale based on the terms of the program and historical returns experience. The Company may provide certain sales incentives to dealers and distributors. Provisions for sales incentives are made at the time of sale for existing incentive programs. These provisions are revised in the event of subsequent modification to the incentive program. See “Accounts and Notes Receivable” for further discussion.

In the United States and Canada, all equipment sales to dealers are immediately due upon a retail sale of the equipment by the dealer with the exception of sales of grain storage and protein production systems. If not previously paid by the dealer in the United States and Canada, installment payments are required generally beginning after the interest-free period with the remaining outstanding equipment balance generally due within 12 months after shipment. Interest generally is charged on the outstanding balance six to 12 months after shipment. Sales terms of some highly seasonal products provide for payment and due dates based on a specified date during the year regardless of the shipment date. Equipment sold to dealers in the United States and Canada is paid in full on average within 12 months of shipment. Sales of replacement parts generally are payable within 30 days of shipment, with terms for some larger seasonal stock orders generally requiring payment within six months of shipment. Sales of grain storage and protein production systems generally are payable within 30 days of shipment.

In other international markets, equipment sales are generally payable in full within 30 to 180 days of shipment. Payment terms for some highly seasonal products have a specified due date during the year regardless of the shipment date. Sales of replacement parts generally are payable within 30 to 90 days of shipment, with terms for some larger seasonal stock orders generally payable within six months of shipment.

In certain markets, particularly in North America, there is a time lag, which varies based on the timing and level of retail demand, between the date the Company records a sale and when the dealer sells the equipment to a retail customer.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]
Foreign Currency Translation

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into United States currency in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 830, “Foreign Currency Matters.” Assets and liabilities are translated to United States dollars at period-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. Translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in stockholders’ equity within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Gains and losses, which result from foreign currency transactions, are included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The estimates made by management primarily relate to accounts and notes receivable, inventories, deferred income tax valuation allowances, intangible assets and certain accrued liabilities, principally relating to reserves for volume discounts and sales incentives, warranty obligations, product liability and workers’ compensation obligations, and pensions and postretirement benefits.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash at December 31, 2011 and 2010 of $320.4 million and $228.2 million, respectively, consisted primarily of cash on hand and bank deposits. The Company considers all investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents at December 31, 2011 and 2010 of $404.0 million and $491.7 million, respectively, consisted primarily of money market deposits, certificates of deposits and overnight investments.
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Accounts and Notes Receivable

Accounts and notes receivable arise from the sale of equipment and replacement parts to independent dealers, distributors or other customers. Payments due under the Company’s terms of sale generally range from one to 12 months and are not contingent upon the sale of the equipment by the dealer or distributor to a retail customer. Under normal circumstances, payment terms are not extended and equipment may not be returned. In certain regions,with respect to most equipment sales, including the United States and Canada, the Company is obligated to repurchase equipment and replacement parts upon cancellation of a dealer or distributor contract. These obligations are required by national, state or provincial laws and require the Company to repurchase a dealer or distributor’s unsold inventory, including inventory for which the receivable has already been paid.

For sales in most markets outside of the United States and Canada, the Company does not normally charge interest on outstanding receivables with its dealers and distributors. For sales to certain dealers or distributors in the United States and Canada, interest is charged at or above prime lending rates on outstanding receivable balances after interest-free periods. These interest-free periods vary by product and generally range from one to 12 months, with the exception of certain seasonal products, which bear interest after various periods up to 23 months depending on the time of year of the sale and the dealer or distributor’s sales volume during the preceding year. For the year ended December 31, 2011, 16.9% and 3.2% of the Company’s net sales had maximum interest-free periods ranging from one to six months and seven to 12 months, respectively. Net sales with maximum interest-free periods ranging from 13 to 23 months were approximately 0.2% of the Company’s net sales during 2011. Actual interest-free periods are shorter than above because the equipment receivable from dealers or distributors in the United States and Canada is due immediately upon sale of the equipment to a retail customer. Under normal circumstances, interest is not forgiven and interest-free periods are not extended. The Company has an agreement to permit transferring, on an ongoing basis, substantially all of its wholesale interest-bearing and non-interest bearing accounts receivable in North America to its U.S. and Canadian retail finance joint ventures. Upon transfer, the receivables maintain standard payment terms, including required regular principal payments on amounts outstanding, and interest charges at market rates. The Company also has accounts receivable sales agreements that permit the sale, on an ongoing basis, of a majority of its accounts receivables in Germany, France, Austria, Norway and Sweden to the relevant AGCO Finance entities in those countries. Upon transfer, the receivables maintain standard payment terms. Qualified dealers may obtain additional financing through the Company’s U.S., Canadian and European retail finance joint ventures at the joint ventures’ discretion.

The Company provides various volume bonus and sales incentive programs with respect to its products. These sales incentive programs include reductions in invoice prices, reductions in retail financing rates, dealer commissions and dealer incentive allowances. In most cases, incentive programs are established and communicated to the Company’s dealers on a quarterly basis. The incentives are paid either at the time of invoice (through a reduction of invoice price), at the time of the settlement of the receivable, at the time of retail financing, at the time of warranty registration, or at a subsequent time based on dealer purchases. The incentive programs are product-line specific and generally do not vary by dealer. The cost of sales incentives associated with dealer commissions and dealer incentive allowances is estimated based upon the terms of the programs and historical experience, is based on a percentage of the sales price, and is recorded at the later of (a) the date at which the related revenue is recognized, or (b) the date at which the sales incentive is offered. The related provisions and accruals are made on a product or product-line basis and are monitored for adequacy and revised at least quarterly in the event of subsequent modifications to the programs. Volume discounts are estimated and recognized based on historical experience, and related reserves are monitored and adjusted based on actual dealer purchases and the dealers’ progress towards achieving specified cumulative target levels. The Company records the cost of interest subsidy payments, which is a reduction in the retail financing rates, at the later of (a) the date at which the related revenue is recognized, or (b) the date at which the sales incentive is offered. Estimates of these incentives are based on the terms of the programs and historical experience. All incentive programs are recorded and presented as a reduction of revenue due to the fact that the Company does not receive an identifiable benefit in exchange for the consideration provided. Reserves for incentive programs that will be paid either through the reduction of future invoices or through credit memos are recorded as “accounts receivable allowances” within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Reserves for incentive programs that will be paid in cash, as is the case with most of the Company’s volume discount programs, as well as sales with incentives associated with accounts receivable sold to its U.S. and Canadian retail finance joint ventures, are recorded within “Accrued expenses” within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Accounts and notes receivable are shown net of allowances for sales incentive discounts available to dealers and for doubtful accounts. Cash flows related to the collection of receivables are reported within “Cash flows from operating activities” within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Accounts and notes receivable allowances at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows (in millions):
 
2011
 
2010
Sales incentive discounts
$
12.4

 
$
11.3

Doubtful accounts
36.9

 
29.3

 
$
49.3

 
$
40.6



The Company transfers certain accounts receivable under its accounts receivable sales agreements with its retail finance joint ventures (Note 4). The Company records such transfers as sales of accounts receivable when it is considered to have surrendered control of such receivables under the provisions of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-16, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets”. Cash payments are made to the Company’s U.S. and Canadian retail finance joint ventures for sales incentive discounts provided to dealers related to outstanding accounts receivables sold. The balance of such sales discount reserves that are recorded within “Accrued expenses” as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 were approximately $91.1 million and $87.4 million, respectively.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method. Market is current replacement cost (by purchase or by reproduction dependent on the type of inventory). In cases where market exceeds net realizable value (i.e., estimated selling price less reasonably predictable costs of completion and disposal), inventories are stated at net realizable value. Market is not considered to be less than net realizable value reduced by an allowance for an approximately normal profit margin. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had recorded $106.8 million and $86.2 million, respectively, as an adjustment for surplus and obsolete inventories. These adjustments are reflected within “Inventories, net” within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Inventories, net at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows (in millions):
 
2011
 
2010
Finished goods
$
500.0

 
$
422.6

Repair and replacement parts
450.7

 
432.4

Work in process
127.6

 
90.2

Raw materials
481.3

 
288.3

Inventories, net
$
1,559.6

 
$
1,233.5



Cash flows related to the sale of inventories are reported within “Cash flows from operating activities” within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of ten to 40 years for buildings and improvements, three to 15 years for machinery and equipment, and three to ten years for furniture and fixtures. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]
ASC 350, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other,” establishes a method of testing goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company’s annual qualitative or quantitative assessments involve determining an estimate of the fair value of the Company’s reporting units in order to evaluate whether an impairment of the current carrying amount of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets exists. A qualitative assessment evaluates whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount before applying the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. The first step of a quantitative goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired, and, thus, the second step of the quantitative impairment test is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Fair values are derived based on an evaluation of past and expected future performance of the Company’s reporting units. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, for example, a component. A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and the Company’s executive management team regularly reviews the operating results of that component. In addition, the Company combines and aggregates two or more components of an operating segment as a single reporting unit if the components have similar economic characteristics. The Company’s reportable segments are not its reporting units.

The second step of the quantitative goodwill impairment test, used to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The loss recognized cannot exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination; that is, the Company allocates the fair value of a reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill.

The Company utilizes a combination of valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow approach and a market multiple approach, when making its annual and interim quantitative assessments. The results of the Company’s analyses conducted as of October 1, 2011, 2010 and 2009 indicated that no reduction in the carrying amount of goodwill was required.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
The Company amortizes certain acquired identifiable intangible assets primarily on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from five to 45 years.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

The Company reviewed its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicated that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by the asset to be held and used are not sufficient to recover the unamortized balance of the asset. An impairment loss would be recognized based on the difference between the carrying values and estimated fair value. The estimated fair value is determined based on either the discounted future cash flows or other appropriate fair value methods with the amount of any such deficiency charged to income in the current year. If the asset being tested for recoverability was acquired in a business combination, intangible assets resulting from the acquisition that are related to the asset are included in the assessment. Estimates of future cash flows are based on many factors, including current operating results, expected market trends and competitive influences. The Company also evaluates the amortization periods assigned to its intangible assets to determine whether events or changes in circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives. Assets to be disposed of by sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less estimated costs to sell.
Insurance Reserves [Policy Text Block]
Under the Company’s insurance programs, coverage is obtained for significant liability limits as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. It is the policy of the Company to self-insure a portion of certain expected losses related primarily to workers’ compensation and comprehensive general, product and vehicle liability. Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based on the Company’s estimates of the aggregate liabilities for the claims incurred
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Research and development expenses are expensed as incurred and are included in engineering expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations
Advertising Cost, Policy, Expensed Advertising Cost [Policy Text Block]
The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred. Cooperative advertising costs are normally expensed at the time the revenue is earned. Advertising expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 totaled approximately $66.3 million, $53.4 million and $51.5 million, respectively.
Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]
All shipping and handling fees charged to customers are included as a component of net sales. Shipping and handling costs are included as a part of cost of goods sold, with the exception of certain handling costs included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the amount of $29.9 million, $26.8 million and $26.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Basic income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted income per common share assumes the exercise of outstanding stock options, the vesting of restricted stock and performance share awards, and the appreciation of the excess conversion value of the contingently convertible senior subordinated notes using the treasury stock method when the effects of such assumptions are dilutive.
The Company’s $201.3 million aggregate principal amount of 11/4% convertible senior subordinated notes provides for (i) the settlement upon conversion in cash up to the principal amount of the converted notes with any excess conversion value settled in shares of the Company’s common stock, and (ii) the conversion rate to be increased under certain circumstances if the new notes are converted in connection with certain change of control transactions. Dilution of weighted shares outstanding will depend on the Company’s stock price for the excess conversion value using the treasury stock method (Note 7)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Policy Text Block]
The Company reports comprehensive income (loss), defined as the total of net income (loss) and all other non-owner changes in equity and the components thereof in its Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]
The carrying amounts reported in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets for “Cash and cash equivalents,” “Accounts and notes receivable” and “Accounts payable” approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying amounts of long-term debt under the Company’s 4½% senior term loan and credit facility (Note 7) approximate fair value based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms and average maturities. At December 31, 2011, the estimated fair values of the Company’s 57/8% senior notes and 11/4% convertible notes (Note 7), based on their listed market values, were $298.9 million and $252.4 million, respectively, compared to their carrying values of $300.0 million and $183.4 million, respectively. At December 31, 2010, the estimated fair values of the Company’s 67/8% senior subordinated notes, 13/4% convertible notes and 11/4% convertible notes (Note 7), based on their listed market values, were $271.7 million, $325.1 million and $277.1 million, respectively, compared to their carrying values of $267.7 million, $161.0 million and $175.2 million, respectively
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]
The Company uses foreign currency contracts to hedge the foreign currency exposure of certain receivables and payables. The contracts are for periods consistent with the exposure being hedged and generally have maturities of one year or less. These contracts are classified as non-designated derivative instruments. The Company also enters into foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges of expected sales. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had foreign currency contracts outstanding with gross notional amounts of $1,232.7 million and $1,113.4 million, respectively. The Company had unrealized (losses) gains of approximately $(4.9) million and $5.6 million on foreign currency contracts at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, approximately $(1.1) million and $3.4 million, respectively, of unrealized (loss) gains were reflected in the Company’s results of operations, as the gains related to non-designated contracts. The Company’s foreign currency contracts mitigate risk due to exchange rate fluctuations because gains and losses on these contracts generally offset gains and losses on the exposure being hedged. The Company had $5.4 million of unrealized losses and $1.7 million of unrealized gains as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to designated cash flow hedges that were reflected in other comprehensive loss (Note 11).

The notional amounts of the foreign currency contracts do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, therefore, are not a measure of the Company’s risk. The amounts exchanged are calculated on the basis of the notional amounts and other terms of the contracts. The credit and market risks under these contracts are not considered to be significant. The Company’s hedging policy prohibits it from entering into any foreign currency contracts for speculative trading purposes.