Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,370,903	$ 1,895,104	$ 1,778,145
Cost of sales	1,563,049	1,268,696	1,227,532
Gross profit	807,854	626,408	550,613
Selling and administrative expenses	394,769	369,482	356,210
Other operating expense, net	12,374	4,516	45,673
Impairment charges			262,400
Operating income (loss)	400,711	252,410	(113,670)
Interest expense	15,397	23,424	28,485
Other income, net	(1,667)	(2,865)	(3,761)
Income (loss) before income taxes	386,981	231,851	(138,394)
Provision for income taxes	107,439	56,897	24,905
Net income (loss)	279,542	174,954	(163,299)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,979	1,992	1,886
Net income (loss) attributable to Gardner Denver	$ 277,563	$ 172,962	$ (165,185)
Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Gardner Denver common stockholders
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 5.37	$ 3.31	$ (3.18)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 5.33	$ 3.28	$ (3.18)
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.20	$ 0.05