Stockholders' Equity and Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share, and Antidilutive Equity-Based Awards Outstanding) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Stockholders' Equity and Earnings Per Share
Net income attributable to Gardner Denver	$ 67,121	$ 37,334	$ 126,599	$ 69,292
Basic	52,285	52,399	52,246	52,275
Effect of stock-based compensation awards	399	403	416	421
Diluted	52,684	52,802	52,662	52,696
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.28	$ 0.71	$ 2.42	$ 1.33
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.27	$ 0.71	$ 2.40	$ 1.31
Antidilutive equity-based awards outstanding	147	245	105	207