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RETIREMENT ANNUITY AND GUARANTEED CONTINUOUS EMPLOYMENT PLANS (Pension Plan Assets by Level with the Fair Value Hierarchy) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
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Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | $ 1,010,937 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets |  | $ 939,995 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets |  | $ 813,897 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 32,178 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  |
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 940,744 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 907,432 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 38,015 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 32,563 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 4,873 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 4,873 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  |  |  |
Corporate and other obligations |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 212,326 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember | [1] |  |  |
Corporate and other obligations | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  |  |  |
Corporate and other obligations | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 212,326 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |  |  |
Corporate and other obligations | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  |  |  |
Common Trusts and 103 by 12 Investments Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 7,499 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsand103by12InvestmentsCashandCashEquivalentsMember | [2] | 4,686 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsand103by12InvestmentsCashandCashEquivalentsMember | [2] |
Common Trusts and 103 by 12 Investments Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsand103by12InvestmentsCashandCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsand103by12InvestmentsCashandCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  |
Common Trusts and 103 by 12 Investments Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 7,499 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsand103by12InvestmentsCashandCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 4,686 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsand103by12InvestmentsCashandCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |
Common Trusts and 103 by 12 Investments Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsand103by12InvestmentsCashandCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsand103by12InvestmentsCashandCashEquivalentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  |
US Treasury Bond Securities [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 27,305 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryBondSecuritiesMember | [1] |  |  |
US Treasury Bond Securities [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 27,305 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryBondSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  |  |  |
US Treasury Bond Securities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryBondSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |  |  |
US Treasury Bond Securities [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_USTreasuryBondSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  |  |  |
Common trusts and 103-12 investments |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 720,919 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsAnd103By12InvestmentsMember | [2] | 902,746 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsAnd103By12InvestmentsMember | [2] |
Common trusts and 103-12 investments | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsAnd103By12InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsAnd103By12InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  |
Common trusts and 103-12 investments | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 720,919 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsAnd103By12InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 902,746 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsAnd103By12InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |
Common trusts and 103-12 investments | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsAnd103By12InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = leco_CommonTrustsAnd103By12InvestmentsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  |
Private equity funds |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 38,015 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember | [3] | 32,563 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember | [3] |
Private equity funds | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member |  |
Private equity funds | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  | 0 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member |  |
Private equity funds | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans' assets by level within the fair value hierarchy |  |  |  |  |
Total assets at fair value | $ 38,015 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  | $ 32,563 us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets / us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis = us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember / us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis = us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member |  |
[1] | Fixed income securities are primarily comprised of governmental and corporate bonds directly held by the plans. Governmental and corporate bonds are valued using both market observable inputs for similar assets that are traded on an active market and the closing price on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.
[2] | Common trusts and 103-12 investments (collectively "Trusts") are comprised of a number of investment funds that invest in a diverse portfolio of assets including equity securities, corporate and governmental bonds, equity and credit indexes, and money markets. Trusts are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as determined by their custodian. NAV represents the accumulation of the unadjusted quoted close prices on the reporting date for the underlying investments divided by the total shares outstanding at the reporting dates.
[3] | Private equity funds consist of four funds seeking capital appreciation by investing in private equity investment partnerships and venture capital companies. Funds are comprised of unrestricted and restricted publicly traded securities and privately held securities. Unrestricted securities are valued at the closing market price on the reporting date. Restricted securities may be valued at a discount from such closing public market price, depending on facts and circumstances. Privately held securities are valued at fair value as determined by the fund directors and general partners.

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- Definition Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 50 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29635418&loc=d3e12355-114930 + Details
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