H&E Equipment Services (HEES) 10-Q 1 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 24, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Trading Symbol	'HEES	'
Entity Registrant Name	'H&E Equipment Services, Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001339605	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	35,210,778

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash	$4,965	$17,607
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,307 and $3,651, respectively	137,258	131,970
Inventories, net of reserves for obsolescence of $650 and $647, respectively	168,784	111,640
Prepaid expenses and other assets	10,041	6,024
Rental equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $316,632 and $309,944, respectively	704,237	688,710
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $78,919 and $75,994, respectively	99,763	98,503
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $10,444 and $10,176, respectively	4,421	4,689
Goodwill	31,197	31,197
Total assets	1,160,666	1,090,340
Liabilities:	'	'
Amounts due on senior secured credit facility	123,967	102,460
Accounts payable	112,506	67,779
Manufacturer flooring plans payable	56,313	49,062
Dividends payable	633	633
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities	39,082	54,439
Senior unsecured notes (net of unaccreted discount of $1,412 and $1,454, respectively)	628,588	628,546
Capital leases payable	2,234	2,278
Deferred income taxes	92,230	88,291
Deferred compensation payable	2,056	2,040
Total liabilities	1,057,609	995,528
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 175,000,000 shares authorized; 39,033,974 and 39,023,594 shares issued at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and 35,210,778 and 35,200,398 shares outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	390	389
Additional paid-in capital	216,583	215,775
Treasury stock at cost, 3,823,196 and 3,823,196 shares of common stock held at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	-58,468	-58,468
Retained deficit	-55,448	-62,884
Total stockholders' equity	103,057	94,812
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,160,666	$1,090,340

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivables	$3,307	$3,651
Reserves for obsolescence inventories	650	647
Accumulated depreciation, rental equipment	316,632	309,944
Accumulated depreciation and amortization, property and equipment	78,919	75,994
Accumulated amortization, deferred financing costs	10,444	10,176
Unaccreted discount, net	$1,412	$1,454
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	175,000,000	175,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	39,033,974	39,023,594
Common stock, shares outstanding	35,210,778	35,200,398
Treasury stock, shares	3,823,196	3,823,196

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues:	'	'
Equipment rentals	$86,224	$75,370
New equipment sales	69,547	53,323
Used equipment sales	29,345	32,149
Parts sales	25,802	24,952
Services revenues	13,648	14,551
Other	12,663	12,043
Total revenues	237,229	212,388
Cost of revenues:	'	'
Rental depreciation	32,998	28,132
Rental expense	14,224	13,603
New equipment sales	61,734	47,739
Used equipment sales	20,418	22,748
Parts sales	18,282	18,304
Services revenues	4,741	5,743
Other	12,048	11,639
Total cost of revenues	164,445	147,908
Gross profit	72,784	64,480
Selling, general and administrative expenses	48,856	46,264
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net	663	500
Income from operations	24,591	18,716
Other income (expense):	'	'
Interest expense	-12,650	-12,272
Other, net	306	507
Total other expense, net	-12,344	-11,765
Income before provision for income taxes	12,247	6,951
Provision for income taxes	4,811	2,174
Net income	$7,436	$4,777
Net income per common share:	'	'
Basic	$0.21	$0.14
Diluted	$0.21	$0.14
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'
Basic	35,108	34,976
Diluted	35,218	35,097

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$7,436	$4,777
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	4,780	3,935
Depreciation of rental equipment	32,998	28,132
Amortization of deferred financing costs	268	281
Accretion of note discount, net of premium amortization	42	105
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	734	767
Provision for inventory obsolescence	63	56
Provision for deferred income taxes	3,939	649
Stock-based compensation expense	808	938
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net	-663	-500
Gain from sales of rental equipment, net	-8,357	-8,498
Writedown of goodwill for tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill	'	219
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Receivables	-6,022	8,775
Inventories	-82,514	-93,459
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-4,017	-2,001
Accounts payable	44,727	61,406
Manufacturer flooring plans payable	7,251	16,854
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities	-15,357	-13,640
Deferred compensation payable	16	17
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-13,867	8,813
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-6,059	-6,288
Purchases of rental equipment	-39,663	-34,100
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	682	521
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment	24,802	22,381
Net cash used in investing activities	-20,238	-17,486
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility	266,183	240,088
Payments on senior secured credit facility	-244,676	-343,989
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes	'	107,250
Payments of deferred financing costs	'	-564
Payments of capital lease obligations	-44	-41
Net cash provided by financing activities	21,463	2,744
Net decrease in cash	-12,642	-5,929
Cash, beginning of period	17,607	8,894
Cash, end of period	4,965	2,965
Noncash asset purchases:	'	'
Assets transferred from new and used inventory to rental fleet	25,307	19,828
Cash paid during the period for:	'	'
Interest	23,339	22,075
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received	$206	$386

Organization_and_Nature_of_Ope

Organization and Nature of Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization and Nature of Operations	'
	(1) Organization and Nature of Operations
	Basis of Presentation
	Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial position and results of operations of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries H&E Finance Corp., GNE Investments, Inc., Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E California Holding, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC and H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc., collectively referred to herein as “we” or “us” or “our” or the “Company.”
	The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of all normal and recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014, and therefore, the results and trends in these interim condensed consolidated financial statements may not be the same for the entire year. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual audited consolidated financial statements and related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, from which the consolidated balance sheet amounts as of December 31, 2013 were derived.
	All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in these condensed consolidated financial statements. Business combinations accounted for as purchases are included in the condensed consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition.
	The nature of our business is such that short-term obligations are typically met by cash flows generated from long-term assets. Consequently, and consistent with industry practice, the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets are presented on an unclassified basis.
	Nature of Operations
	As one of the largest integrated equipment services companies in the United States focused on heavy construction and industrial equipment, we rent, sell and provide parts and service support for four core categories of specialized equipment: (1) hi-lift or aerial work platform equipment; (2) cranes; (3) earthmoving equipment; and (4) industrial lift trucks. By providing equipment sales, rental, on-site parts, and repair and maintenance functions under one roof, we are a one-stop provider for our customers’ varied equipment needs. This full-service approach provides us with multiple points of customer contact, enables us to maintain a high quality rental fleet, as well as an effective distribution channel for fleet disposal, and provides cross-selling opportunities among our new and used equipment sales, rental, parts sales and service operations.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	(2) Significant Accounting Policies
	We describe our significant accounting policies in note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. During the three month period ended March 31, 2014, there were no significant changes to those accounting policies.
	Use of Estimates
	We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which requires management to use its judgment to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. These assumptions and estimates could have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates. We review our estimates on an ongoing basis based on information currently available, and changes in facts and circumstances may cause us to revise these estimates.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”) which amended the FASB’s guidance for reporting discontinued operations and disposals of components of an entity under Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 250-20. The guidance as amended by ASU 2014-08 raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation by requiring that a disposal representing a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s financial results or a business activity classified as held for sale be reported as such. The amendments also expand the disclosure requirements regarding the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of discontinued operations and add new disclosure requirements for individually significant dispositions that do not qualify as discontinued operations. The amendments are effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim reporting periods within those years (early adoption is permitted only for disposals that have not been previously reported). The implementation of the amended guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	(3) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received for selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The FASB fair value measurement guidance established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The three broad levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
	Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
	Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly
	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring a company to develop its own assumptions
	The carrying value of financial instruments reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets for cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses payable and other liabilities approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term nature or maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of our letter of credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements. The carrying amounts and fair values of our other financial instruments subject to fair value disclosures as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are presented in the table below (amounts in thousands) and have been calculated based upon market quotes and present value calculations based on market rates.
			March 31, 2014
			Carrying		Fair
			Amount		Value
	Manufacturer flooring plans payable with interest computed at 5.25% (Level 3)		$	56,313	$	49,347
	Senior unsecured notes with interest computed at 7.0%(1) (Level 1)			630,000		693,000
	Capital leases payable with interest computed at 5.929% to 9.55% (Level 3)			2,234		1,671
	Letter of credit (Level 3)			—		146
			December 31, 2013
			Carrying		Fair
			Amount		Value
	Manufacturer flooring plans payable with interest computed at 5.25% (Level 3)		$	49,062	$	42,686
	Senior unsecured notes with interest computed at 7.0%(1) (Level 1)			630,000		686,700
	Capital leases payable with interest computed at 5.929% to 9.55% (Level 3)			2,278		1,717
	Letter of credit (Level 3)			—		146
	-1	– Amounts shown based on aggregate amounts outstanding for the periods presented.
	During 2014 and 2013, there were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities in or out of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	(4) Stockholders’ Equity
	The following table summarizes the activity in Stockholders’ Equity for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 (amounts in thousands, except share data):
		Common Stock				Additional					Retained			Total
		Shares		Amount		Paid-in		Treasury			Earnings			Stockholders’
		Issued				Capital		Stock			(Deficit)			Equity
	Balances at December 31, 2013		39,023,594	$	389	$	215,775	$	(58,468	)	$	(62,884	)	$	94,812
	Stock-based compensation		—		—		808		—			—			808
	Issuance of common stock		10,380		1		—		—			—			1
	Net income		—		—		—		—			7,436			7,436
	Balances at March 31, 2014		39,033,974	$	390	$	216,583	$	(58,468	)	$	(55,448	)	$	103,057

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	(5) Stock-Based Compensation
	We account for our stock-based compensation plan using the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). Under the provisions of ASC 718, stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite employee service period (generally the vesting period of the grant). Shares available for future stock-based payment awards under our 2006 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan were 3,604,046 shares as of March 31, 2014.
	Non-vested Stock
	The following table summarizes our non-vested stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
	Non-vested stock at December 31, 2013		187,867		$	18.21
	Granted		10,380		$	28.91
	Vested		(10,380	)	$	28.91
	Forfeited		—		$	—
	Non-vested stock at March 31, 2014		187,867		$	18.21
	As of March 31, 2014, we had unrecognized compensation expense of approximately $2.4 million related to non-vested stock that we expect to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years. The following table summarizes compensation expense, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Compensation expense	$	808		$	938
	Stock Options
	At March 31, 2014, there is no unrecognized compensation expense as all stock option awards have fully vested. The following table represents stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted Average		Weighted Average
		Shares			Exercise Price		Contractual Life
							In Years
	Outstanding options at December 31, 2013		51,000		$	17.8
	Granted		—			—
	Exercised		—			—
	Canceled, forfeited or expired		—			—
	Outstanding options at March 31, 2014		51,000		$	17.8		2.3
	Options exercisable at March 31, 2014		51,000		$	17.8		2.3
	The aggregate intrinsic value of our outstanding and exercisable options at March 31, 2014 was approximately $2.1 million.

Income_per_Share

Income per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Income per Share	'
	(6) Income per Share
	Income per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The effects of potentially dilutive securities that are anti-dilutive are not included in the computation of dilutive income per share. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Basic net income per share:
	Net income	$	7,436	$	4,777
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding		35,108		34,976
	Net income per common share – basic	$	0.21	$	0.14
	Diluted net income per share:
	Net income	$	7,436	$	4,777
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding		35,108		34,976
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Effect of dilutive stock options		23		14
	Effect of dilutive non-vested stock		87		107
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted		35,218		35,097
	Net income per common share – diluted	$	0.21	$	0.14
	Common shares excluded from the denominator as anti-dilutive:
	Stock options		—		—
	Non-vested restricted stock		—		—

Senior_Unsecured_Notes

Senior Unsecured Notes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Senior Unsecured Notes	'
	(7) Senior Unsecured Notes
	The following table reconciles our Senior Secured Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (amounts in thousands):
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	521,065
	Aggregate principal amount issued on February 4, 2013		100,000
	Premium on notes issued		8,500
	Initial purchaser’s discount		(1,250	)
	Accretion of discount through December 31, 2013		1,044
	Amortization of note premium through December 31, 2013		(813	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	628,546
	Accretion of discount through March 31, 2014		264
	Amortization of note premium through March 31, 2014		(222	)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	628,588

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	(8) Segment Information
	We have identified five reportable segments: equipment rentals, new equipment sales, used equipment sales, parts sales and service revenues. These segments are based upon how management of the Company allocates resources and assesses performance. Non-segmented revenues and non-segmented costs relate to equipment support activities including transportation, hauling, parts freight and damage-waiver charges and are not allocated to the other reportable segments. There were no sales between segments for any of the periods presented. Selling, general and administrative expenses as well as all other income and expense items below gross profit are not generally allocated to reportable segments.
	We do not compile discrete financial information by segments other than the information presented below. The following table presents information about our reportable segments (amounts in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Segment Revenues:
	Equipment rentals	$	86,224	$	75,370
	New equipment sales		69,547		53,323
	Used equipment sales		29,345		32,149
	Parts sales		25,802		24,952
	Services revenues		13,648		14,551
	Total segmented revenues		224,566		200,345
	Non-segmented revenues		12,663		12,043
	Total revenues	$	237,229	$	212,388
	Segment Gross Profit:
	Equipment rentals	$	39,002	$	33,635
	New equipment sales		7,813		5,584
	Used equipment sales		8,927		9,401
	Parts sales		7,520		6,648
	Services revenues		8,907		8,808
	Total segmented gross profit		72,169		64,076
	Non-segmented gross profit		615		404
	Total gross profit	$	72,784	$	64,480
		Balances at
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Segment identified assets:
	Equipment sales	$	150,622	$	95,392
	Equipment rentals		704,237		688,710
	Parts and services		18,162		16,248
	Total segment identified assets		873,021		800,350
	Non-segment identified assets		287,645		289,990
	Total assets	$	1,160,666	$	1,090,340
	The Company operates primarily in the United States and our sales to international customers for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were approximately 1.6% and 1.8% of total revenues, respectively. No one customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenues on an overall or segment basis for any of the periods presented.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries	'
	(9) Condensed Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries
	All of the indebtedness of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. is guaranteed by GNE Investments, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC, H&E California Holding, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc. and H&E Finance Corp. The guarantor subsidiaries are all wholly-owned and the guarantees, made on a joint and several basis, are full and unconditional (subject to subordination provisions and subject to a standard limitation which provides that the maximum amount guaranteed by each guarantor will not exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed without making the guarantee void under fraudulent conveyance laws). There are no restrictions on H&E Equipment Services, Inc.’s ability to obtain funds from the guarantor subsidiaries by dividend or loan.
	The consolidating financial statements of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries are included below. The financial statements for H&E Finance Corp. are not included within the consolidating financial statements because H&E Finance Corp. has no assets or operations.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
		As of March 31, 2014
		H&E Equipment			Guarantor			Elimination			Consolidated
		Services			Subsidiaries
		(Amounts in thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash	$	4,965		$	—		$	—		$	4,965
	Receivables, net		120,742			16,516			—			137,258
	Inventories, net		155,396			13,388			—			168,784
	Prepaid expenses and other assets		9,820			221			—			10,041
	Rental equipment, net		601,871			102,366			—			704,237
	Property and equipment, net		87,071			12,692			—			99,763
	Deferred financing costs, net		4,421			—			—			4,421
	Investment in guarantor subsidiaries		165,398			—			(165,398	)		—
	Goodwill		1,671			29,526			—			31,197
	Total assets	$	1,151,355		$	174,709		$	(165,398	)	$	1,160,666
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
	Amounts due on senior secured credit facility	$	123,967		$	—		$	—		$	123,967
	Accounts payable		105,623			6,883			—			112,506
	Manufacturer flooring plans payable		56,357			(44	)		—			56,313
	Dividends payable		633			—			—			633
	Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities		38,844			238			—			39,082
	Senior unsecured notes		628,588			—			—			628,588
	Capital lease payable		—			2,234			—			2,234
	Deferred income taxes		92,230			—			—			92,230
	Deferred compensation payable		2,056			—			—			2,056
	Total liabilities		1,048,298			9,311			—			1,057,609
	Stockholders’ equity		103,057			165,398			(165,398	)		103,057
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,151,355		$	174,709		$	(165,398	)	$	1,160,666
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
		As of December 31, 2013
		H&E Equipment			Guarantor			Elimination			Consolidated
		Services			Subsidiaries
		(Amounts in thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash	$	17,607		$	—		$	—		$	17,607
	Receivables, net		114,525			17,445			—			131,970
	Inventories, net		102,125			9,515			—			111,640
	Prepaid expenses and other assets		5,853			171			—			6,024
	Rental equipment, net		582,721			105,989			—			688,710
	Property and equipment, net		85,826			12,677			—			98,503
	Deferred financing costs, net		4,689			—			—			4,689
	Investment in guarantor subsidiaries		165,703			—			(165,703	)		—
	Goodwill		1,671			29,526			—			31,197
	Total assets	$	1,080,720		$	175,323		$	(165,703	)	$	1,090,340
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
	Amount due on senior secured credit facility	$	102,460		$	—		$	—		$	102,460
	Accounts payable		60,787			6,992			—			67,779
	Manufacturer flooring plans payable		49,062			—			—			49,062
	Dividends payable		656			(23	)		—			633
	Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities		54,066			373			—			54,439
	Senior unsecured notes		628,546			—			—			628,546
	Capital leases payable		—			2,278			—			2,278
	Deferred income taxes		88,291			—			—			88,291
	Deferred compensation payable		2,040			—			—			2,040
	Total liabilities		985,908			9,620			—			995,528
	Stockholders’ equity		94,812			165,703			(165,703	)		94,812
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,080,720		$	175,323		$	(165,703	)	$	1,090,340
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	H&E Equipment			Guarantor			Elimination			Consolidated
	Services			Subsidiaries
	(Amounts in thousands)
Revenues:
Equipment rentals	$	73,445		$	12,779		$	—		$	86,224
New equipment sales		61,050			8,497			—			69,547
Used equipment sales		21,574			7,771			—			29,345
Parts sales		22,399			3,403			—			25,802
Services revenues		11,572			2,076			—			13,648
Other		10,536			2,127			—			12,663
Total revenues		200,576			36,653			—			237,229
Cost of revenues:
Rental depreciation		27,785			5,213			—			32,998
Rental expense		11,938			2,286			—			14,224
New equipment sales		54,126			7,608			—			61,734
Used equipment sales		14,489			5,929			—			20,418
Parts sales		15,912			2,370			—			18,282
Services revenues		3,976			765			—			4,741
Other		9,854			2,194			—			12,048
Total cost of revenues		138,080			26,365			—			164,445
Gross profit (loss):
Equipment rentals		33,722			5,280			—			39,002
New equipment sales		6,924			889			—			7,813
Used equipment sales		7,085			1,842			—			8,927
Parts sales		6,487			1,033			—			7,520
Services revenues		7,596			1,311			—			8,907
Other		682			(67	)		—			615
Gross profit		62,496			10,288			—			72,784
Selling, general and administrative expenses		41,275			7,581			—			48,856
Equity in earnings of guarantor subsidiaries		199			—			(199	)		—
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net		513			150			—			663
Income from operations		21,933			2,857			(199	)		24,591
Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(9,951	)		(2,699	)		—			(12,650	)
Other, net		265			41			—			306
Total other expense, net		(9,686	)		(2,658	)		—			(12,344	)
Income before income taxes		12,247			199			(199	)		12,247
Income tax expense		4,811			—			—			4,811
Net income	$	7,436		$	199		$	(199	)	$	7,436
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	H&E Equipment			Guarantor			Elimination			Consolidated
	Services			Subsidiaries
	(Amounts in thousands)
Revenues:
Equipment rentals	$	62,909		$	12,461		$	—		$	75,370
New equipment sales		47,271			6,052			—			53,323
Used equipment sales		25,526			6,623			—			32,149
Parts sales		21,315			3,637			—			24,952
Services revenues		12,768			1,783			—			14,551
Other		9,938			2,105			—			12,043
Total revenues		179,727			32,661			—			212,388
Cost of revenues:
Rental depreciation		23,023			5,109			—			28,132
Rental expense		11,279			2,324			—			13,603
New equipment sales		42,394			5,345			—			47,739
Used equipment sales		17,658			5,090			—			22,748
Parts sales		15,667			2,637			—			18,304
Services revenues		5,141			602			—			5,743
Other		9,422			2,217			—			11,639
Total cost of revenues		124,584			23,324			—			147,908
Gross profit (loss):
Equipment rentals		28,607			5,028			—			33,635
New equipment sales		4,877			707			—			5,584
Used equipment sales		7,868			1,533			—			9,401
Parts sales		5,648			1,000			—			6,648
Services revenues		7,627			1,181			—			8,808
Other		516			(112	)		—			404
Gross profit		55,143			9,337			—			64,480
Selling, general and administrative expenses		38,479			7,785			—			46,264
Equity in loss of guarantor subsidiaries		(816	)		—			816			—
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net		426			74			—			500
Income from operations		16,274			1,626			816			18,716
Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(9,803	)		(2,469	)		—			(12,272	)
Other, net		480			27			—			507
Total other expense, net		(9,323	)		(2,442	)		—			(11,765	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		6,951			(816	)		816			6,951
Income tax expense		2,174			—			—			2,174
Net income (loss)	$	4,777		$	(816	)	$	816		$	4,777
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	H&E Equipment			Guarantor			Elimination			Consolidated
	Services			Subsidiaries
	(Amounts in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	7,436		$	199		$	(199	)	$	7,436
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment		4,193			587			—			4,780
Depreciation of rental equipment		27,785			5,213			—			32,998
Amortization of deferred financing costs		268			—			—			268
Accretion of note discount, net of premium amortization		42			—			—			42
Provision for losses on accounts receivable		627			107			—			734
Provision for inventory obsolescence		63			—			—			63
Provision for deferred income taxes		3,939			—			—			3,939
Stock-based compensation expense		808			—			—			808
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net		(512	)		(150	)		—			(662	)
Gain on sales of rental equipment, net		(6,547	)		(1,810	)		—			(8,357	)
Equity in earnings of guarantor subsidiaries		(199	)		—			199			—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables		(6,844	)		822			—			(6,022	)
Inventories		(75,278	)		(7,236	)		—			(82,514	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(3,967	)		(50	)		—			(4,017	)
Accounts payable		44,836			(109	)		—			44,727
Manufacturer flooring plans payable		7,295			(44	)		—			7,251
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities		(15,222	)		(135	)		—			(15,357	)
Deferred compensation payable		16			—			—			16
Net cash used in operating activities		(11,261	)		(2,606	)		—			(13,867	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(5,457	)		(602	)		—			(6,059	)
Purchases of rental equipment		(36,595	)		(3,068	)		—			(39,663	)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment		532			150			—			682
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment		18,151			6,651			—			24,802
Investment in subsidiaries		504			—			(504	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities .		(22,865	)		3,131			(504	)		(20,238	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility		266,183			—			—			266,183
Payments on senior secured credit facility		(244,676	)		—			—			(244,676	)
Dividends paid		(23	)		23			—			—
Payments on capital lease obligations		—			(44	)		—			(44	)
Capital contributions		—			(504	)		504			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		21,484			(525	)		504			21,463
Net decrease in cash		(12,642	)		—			—			(12,642	)
Cash, beginning of period		17,607			—			—			17,607
Cash, end of period	$	4,965		$	—		$	—		$	4,965
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	H&E Equipment			Guarantor			Elimination			Consolidated
	Services			Subsidiaries
	(Amounts in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	4,777		$	(816	)	$	816		$	4,777
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment		3,435			500			—			3,935
Depreciation on rental equipment		23,023			5,109			—			28,132
Amortization of deferred financing costs		281			—			—			281
Accretion of note discount, net of premium amortization		105			—			—			105
Provision for losses on accounts receivable		569			198			—			767
Provision for inventory obsolescence		56			—			—			56
Increase in deferred income taxes		649			—			—			649
Stock-based compensation expense		938			—			—			938
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net		(426	)		(74	)		—			(500	)
Gain on sales of rental equipment, net		(6,991	)		(1,507	)		—			(8,498	)
Writedown of goodwill for tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill		219			—			—			219
Equity in loss of guarantor subsidiaries		816			—			(816	)		—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables		7,020			1,755			—			8,775
Inventories		(89,230	)		(4,229	)		—			(93,459	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(1,944	)		(57	)		—			(2,001	)
Accounts payable		57,014			4,392			—			61,406
Manufacturer flooring plans payable		17,198			(344	)		—			16,854
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities		(14,089	)		449			—			(13,640	)
Deferred compensation payable		17			—			—			17
Net cash provided by operating activities		3,437			5,376			—			8,813
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(6,033	)		(255	)		—			(6,288	)
Purchases of rental equipment		(30,204	)		(3,896	)		—			(34,100	)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment		447			74			—			521
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment		17,918			4,463			—			22,381
Investment in subsidiaries		5,721			—			(5,721	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(12,151	)		386			(5,721	)		(17,486	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility		240,088			—			—			240,088
Payments on senior secured credit facility		(343,989	)		—			—			(343,989	)
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes		107,250			—			—			107,250
Payments of deferred financing costs		(564	)		—			—			(564	)
Payments on capital lease obligations		—			(41	)		—			(41	)
Capital contributions		—			(5,721	)		5,721			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		2,785			(5,762	)		5,721			2,744
Net decrease in cash		(5,929	)		—			—			(5,929	)
Cash, beginning of period		8,894			—			—			8,894
Cash, end of period	$	2,965		$	—		$	—		$	2,965

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which requires management to use its judgment to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. These assumptions and estimates could have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates. We review our estimates on an ongoing basis based on information currently available, and changes in facts and circumstances may cause us to revise these estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU 2014-08”) which amended the FASB’s guidance for reporting discontinued operations and disposals of components of an entity under Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 250-20. The guidance as amended by ASU 2014-08 raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation by requiring that a disposal representing a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s financial results or a business activity classified as held for sale be reported as such. The amendments also expand the disclosure requirements regarding the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of discontinued operations and add new disclosure requirements for individually significant dispositions that do not qualify as discontinued operations. The amendments are effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim reporting periods within those years (early adoption is permitted only for disposals that have not been previously reported). The implementation of the amended guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Stock Compensation	'
	We account for our stock-based compensation plan using the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). Under the provisions of ASC 718, stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite employee service period (generally the vesting period of the grant). Shares available for future stock-based payment awards under our 2006 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan were 3,604,046 shares as of March 31, 2014.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Estimated Incremental Borrowing Rates for Similar Types of Borrowing Arrangements	'
	The carrying amounts and fair values of our other financial instruments subject to fair value disclosures as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are presented in the table below (amounts in thousands) and have been calculated based upon market quotes and present value calculations based on market rates.
			March 31, 2014
			Carrying		Fair
			Amount		Value
	Manufacturer flooring plans payable with interest computed at 5.25% (Level 3)		$	56,313	$	49,347
	Senior unsecured notes with interest computed at 7.0%(1) (Level 1)			630,000		693,000
	Capital leases payable with interest computed at 5.929% to 9.55% (Level 3)			2,234		1,671
	Letter of credit (Level 3)			—		146
			December 31, 2013
			Carrying		Fair
			Amount		Value
	Manufacturer flooring plans payable with interest computed at 5.25% (Level 3)		$	49,062	$	42,686
	Senior unsecured notes with interest computed at 7.0%(1) (Level 1)			630,000		686,700
	Capital leases payable with interest computed at 5.929% to 9.55% (Level 3)			2,278		1,717
	Letter of credit (Level 3)			—		146
	-1	– Amounts shown based on aggregate amounts outstanding for the periods presented.

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Activity in Stockholders' Equity	'
	The following table summarizes the activity in Stockholders’ Equity for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 (amounts in thousands, except share data):
		Common Stock				Additional					Retained			Total
		Shares		Amount		Paid-in		Treasury			Earnings			Stockholders’
		Issued				Capital		Stock			(Deficit)			Equity
	Balances at December 31, 2013		39,023,594	$	389	$	215,775	$	(58,468	)	$	(62,884	)	$	94,812
	Stock-based compensation		—		—		808		—			—			808
	Issuance of common stock		10,380		1		—		—			—			1
	Net income		—		—		—		—			7,436			7,436
	Balances at March 31, 2014		39,033,974	$	390	$	216,583	$	(58,468	)	$	(55,448	)	$	103,057

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Non-Vested Stock Activity	'
	The following table summarizes our non-vested stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
	Non-vested stock at December 31, 2013		187,867		$	18.21
	Granted		10,380		$	28.91
	Vested		(10,380	)	$	28.91
	Forfeited		—		$	—
	Non-vested stock at March 31, 2014		187,867		$	18.21
Schedule of Compensation Expense Related to Non-Vested Stock	'
	The following table summarizes compensation expense, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Compensation expense	$	808		$	938
Schedule of Share Based Compensation Stock Options Activity	'
	The following table represents stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted Average		Weighted Average
		Shares			Exercise Price		Contractual Life
							In Years
	Outstanding options at December 31, 2013		51,000		$	17.8
	Granted		—			—
	Exercised		—			—
	Canceled, forfeited or expired		—			—
	Outstanding options at March 31, 2014		51,000		$	17.8		2.3
	Options exercisable at March 31, 2014		51,000		$	17.8		2.3

Income_per_Share_Tables

Income per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Common Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Basic net income per share:
	Net income	$	7,436	$	4,777
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding		35,108		34,976
	Net income per common share – basic	$	0.21	$	0.14
	Diluted net income per share:
	Net income	$	7,436	$	4,777
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding		35,108		34,976
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Effect of dilutive stock options		23		14
	Effect of dilutive non-vested stock		87		107
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted		35,218		35,097
	Net income per common share – diluted	$	0.21	$	0.14
	Common shares excluded from the denominator as anti-dilutive:
	Stock options		—		—
	Non-vested restricted stock		—		—

Senior_Unsecured_Notes_Tables

Senior Unsecured Notes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Senior Secured Notes to Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	'
	The following table reconciles our Senior Secured Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (amounts in thousands):
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	521,065
	Aggregate principal amount issued on February 4, 2013		100,000
	Premium on notes issued		8,500
	Initial purchaser’s discount		(1,250	)
	Accretion of discount through December 31, 2013		1,044
	Amortization of note premium through December 31, 2013		(813	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	628,546
	Accretion of discount through March 31, 2014		264
	Amortization of note premium through March 31, 2014		(222	)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	628,588

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Information about Reportable Segments	'
	The following table presents information about our reportable segments (amounts in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Segment Revenues:
	Equipment rentals	$	86,224	$	75,370
	New equipment sales		69,547		53,323
	Used equipment sales		29,345		32,149
	Parts sales		25,802		24,952
	Services revenues		13,648		14,551
	Total segmented revenues		224,566		200,345
	Non-segmented revenues		12,663		12,043
	Total revenues	$	237,229	$	212,388
	Segment Gross Profit:
	Equipment rentals	$	39,002	$	33,635
	New equipment sales		7,813		5,584
	Used equipment sales		8,927		9,401
	Parts sales		7,520		6,648
	Services revenues		8,907		8,808
	Total segmented gross profit		72,169		64,076
	Non-segmented gross profit		615		404
	Total gross profit	$	72,784	$	64,480
		Balances at
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Segment identified assets:
	Equipment sales	$	150,622	$	95,392
	Equipment rentals		704,237		688,710
	Parts and services		18,162		16,248
	Total segment identified assets		873,021		800,350
	Non-segment identified assets		287,645		289,990
	Total assets	$	1,160,666	$	1,090,340

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
		As of March 31, 2014
		H&E Equipment			Guarantor			Elimination			Consolidated
		Services			Subsidiaries
		(Amounts in thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash	$	4,965		$	—		$	—		$	4,965
	Receivables, net		120,742			16,516			—			137,258
	Inventories, net		155,396			13,388			—			168,784
	Prepaid expenses and other assets		9,820			221			—			10,041
	Rental equipment, net		601,871			102,366			—			704,237
	Property and equipment, net		87,071			12,692			—			99,763
	Deferred financing costs, net		4,421			—			—			4,421
	Investment in guarantor subsidiaries		165,398			—			(165,398	)		—
	Goodwill		1,671			29,526			—			31,197
	Total assets	$	1,151,355		$	174,709		$	(165,398	)	$	1,160,666
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
	Amounts due on senior secured credit facility	$	123,967		$	—		$	—		$	123,967
	Accounts payable		105,623			6,883			—			112,506
	Manufacturer flooring plans payable		56,357			(44	)		—			56,313
	Dividends payable		633			—			—			633
	Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities		38,844			238			—			39,082
	Senior unsecured notes		628,588			—			—			628,588
	Capital lease payable		—			2,234			—			2,234
	Deferred income taxes		92,230			—			—			92,230
	Deferred compensation payable		2,056			—			—			2,056
	Total liabilities		1,048,298			9,311			—			1,057,609
	Stockholders’ equity		103,057			165,398			(165,398	)		103,057
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,151,355		$	174,709		$	(165,398	)	$	1,160,666
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
		As of December 31, 2013
		H&E Equipment			Guarantor			Elimination			Consolidated
		Services			Subsidiaries
		(Amounts in thousands)
	Assets:
	Cash	$	17,607		$	—		$	—		$	17,607
	Receivables, net		114,525			17,445			—			131,970
	Inventories, net		102,125			9,515			—			111,640
	Prepaid expenses and other assets		5,853			171			—			6,024
	Rental equipment, net		582,721			105,989			—			688,710
	Property and equipment, net		85,826			12,677			—			98,503
	Deferred financing costs, net		4,689			—			—			4,689
	Investment in guarantor subsidiaries		165,703			—			(165,703	)		—
	Goodwill		1,671			29,526			—			31,197
	Total assets	$	1,080,720		$	175,323		$	(165,703	)	$	1,090,340
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
	Amount due on senior secured credit facility	$	102,460		$	—		$	—		$	102,460
	Accounts payable		60,787			6,992			—			67,779
	Manufacturer flooring plans payable		49,062			—			—			49,062
	Dividends payable		656			(23	)		—			633
	Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities		54,066			373			—			54,439
	Senior unsecured notes		628,546			—			—			628,546
	Capital leases payable		—			2,278			—			2,278
	Deferred income taxes		88,291			—			—			88,291
	Deferred compensation payable		2,040			—			—			2,040
	Total liabilities		985,908			9,620			—			995,528
	Stockholders’ equity		94,812			165,703			(165,703	)		94,812
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,080,720		$	175,323		$	(165,703	)	$	1,090,340
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		H&E Equipment			Guarantor			Elimination			Consolidated
		Services			Subsidiaries
		(Amounts in thousands)
	Revenues:
	Equipment rentals	$	73,445		$	12,779		$	—		$	86,224
	New equipment sales		61,050			8,497			—			69,547
	Used equipment sales		21,574			7,771			—			29,345
	Parts sales		22,399			3,403			—			25,802
	Services revenues		11,572			2,076			—			13,648
	Other		10,536			2,127			—			12,663
	Total revenues		200,576			36,653			—			237,229
	Cost of revenues:
	Rental depreciation		27,785			5,213			—			32,998
	Rental expense		11,938			2,286			—			14,224
	New equipment sales		54,126			7,608			—			61,734
	Used equipment sales		14,489			5,929			—			20,418
	Parts sales		15,912			2,370			—			18,282
	Services revenues		3,976			765			—			4,741
	Other		9,854			2,194			—			12,048
	Total cost of revenues		138,080			26,365			—			164,445
	Gross profit (loss):
	Equipment rentals		33,722			5,280			—			39,002
	New equipment sales		6,924			889			—			7,813
	Used equipment sales		7,085			1,842			—			8,927
	Parts sales		6,487			1,033			—			7,520
	Services revenues		7,596			1,311			—			8,907
	Other		682			(67	)		—			615
	Gross profit		62,496			10,288			—			72,784
	Selling, general and administrative expenses		41,275			7,581			—			48,856
	Equity in earnings of guarantor subsidiaries		199			—			(199	)		—
	Gain on sales of property and equipment, net		513			150			—			663
	Income from operations		21,933			2,857			(199	)		24,591
	Other income (expense):
	Interest expense		(9,951	)		(2,699	)		—			(12,650	)
	Other, net		265			41			—			306
	Total other expense, net		(9,686	)		(2,658	)		—			(12,344	)
	Income before income taxes		12,247			199			(199	)		12,247
	Income tax expense		4,811			—			—			4,811
	Net income	$	7,436		$	199		$	(199	)	$	7,436
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		H&E Equipment			Guarantor			Elimination			Consolidated
		Services			Subsidiaries
		(Amounts in thousands)
	Revenues:
	Equipment rentals	$	62,909		$	12,461		$	—		$	75,370
	New equipment sales		47,271			6,052			—			53,323
	Used equipment sales		25,526			6,623			—			32,149
	Parts sales		21,315			3,637			—			24,952
	Services revenues		12,768			1,783			—			14,551
	Other		9,938			2,105			—			12,043
	Total revenues		179,727			32,661			—			212,388
	Cost of revenues:
	Rental depreciation		23,023			5,109			—			28,132
	Rental expense		11,279			2,324			—			13,603
	New equipment sales		42,394			5,345			—			47,739
	Used equipment sales		17,658			5,090			—			22,748
	Parts sales		15,667			2,637			—			18,304
	Services revenues		5,141			602			—			5,743
	Other		9,422			2,217			—			11,639
	Total cost of revenues		124,584			23,324			—			147,908
Gross profit (loss):
Equipment rentals		28,607			5,028			—			33,635
New equipment sales		4,877			707			—			5,584
Used equipment sales		7,868			1,533			—			9,401
Parts sales		5,648			1,000			—			6,648
Services revenues		7,627			1,181			—			8,808
Other		516			(112	)		—			404
Gross profit		55,143			9,337			—			64,480
Selling, general and administrative expenses		38,479			7,785			—			46,264
Equity in loss of guarantor subsidiaries		(816	)		—			816			—
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net		426			74			—			500
Income from operations		16,274			1,626			816			18,716
Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(9,803	)		(2,469	)		—			(12,272	)
Other, net		480			27			—			507
Total other expense, net		(9,323	)		(2,442	)		—			(11,765	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		6,951			(816	)		816			6,951
Income tax expense		2,174			—			—			2,174
Net income (loss)	$	4,777		$	(816	)	$	816		$	4,777
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		H&E Equipment			Guarantor			Elimination			Consolidated
		Services			Subsidiaries
		(Amounts in thousands)
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income	$	7,436		$	199		$	(199	)	$	7,436
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
	Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment		4,193			587			—			4,780
	Depreciation of rental equipment		27,785			5,213			—			32,998
	Amortization of deferred financing costs		268			—			—			268
	Accretion of note discount, net of premium amortization		42			—			—			42
	Provision for losses on accounts receivable		627			107			—			734
	Provision for inventory obsolescence		63			—			—			63
	Provision for deferred income taxes		3,939			—			—			3,939
	Stock-based compensation expense		808			—			—			808
	Gain on sales of property and equipment, net		(512	)		(150	)		—			(662	)
	Gain on sales of rental equipment, net		(6,547	)		(1,810	)		—			(8,357	)
	Equity in earnings of guarantor subsidiaries		(199	)		—			199			—
	Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
	Receivables		(6,844	)		822			—			(6,022	)
	Inventories		(75,278	)		(7,236	)		—			(82,514	)
	Prepaid expenses and other assets		(3,967	)		(50	)		—			(4,017	)
	Accounts payable		44,836			(109	)		—			44,727
	Manufacturer flooring plans payable		7,295			(44	)		—			7,251
	Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities		(15,222	)		(135	)		—			(15,357	)
	Deferred compensation payable		16			—			—			16
	Net cash used in operating activities		(11,261	)		(2,606	)		—			(13,867	)
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchases of property and equipment		(5,457	)		(602	)		—			(6,059	)
	Purchases of rental equipment		(36,595	)		(3,068	)		—			(39,663	)
	Proceeds from sales of property and equipment		532			150			—			682
	Proceeds from sales of rental equipment		18,151			6,651			—			24,802
	Investment in subsidiaries		504			—			(504	)		—
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities .		(22,865	)		3,131			(504	)		(20,238	)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Borrowings on senior secured credit facility		266,183			—			—			266,183
	Payments on senior secured credit facility		(244,676	)		—			—			(244,676	)
	Dividends paid		(23	)		23			—			—
	Payments on capital lease obligations		—			(44	)		—			(44	)
	Capital contributions		—			(504	)		504			—
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		21,484			(525	)		504			21,463
	Net decrease in cash		(12,642	)		—			—			(12,642	)
	Cash, beginning of period		17,607			—			—			17,607
	Cash, end of period	$	4,965		$	—		$	—		$	4,965
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		H&E Equipment			Guarantor			Elimination			Consolidated
		Services			Subsidiaries
		(Amounts in thousands)
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income (loss)	$	4,777		$	(816	)	$	816		$	4,777
	Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment		3,435			500			—			3,935
	Depreciation on rental equipment		23,023			5,109			—			28,132
	Amortization of deferred financing costs		281			—			—			281
	Accretion of note discount, net of premium amortization		105			—			—			105
	Provision for losses on accounts receivable		569			198			—			767
	Provision for inventory obsolescence		56			—			—			56
	Increase in deferred income taxes		649			—			—			649
	Stock-based compensation expense		938			—			—			938
	Gain on sales of property and equipment, net		(426	)		(74	)		—			(500	)
	Gain on sales of rental equipment, net		(6,991	)		(1,507	)		—			(8,498	)
Writedown of goodwill for tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill		219			—			—			219
Equity in loss of guarantor subsidiaries		816			—			(816	)		—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables		7,020			1,755			—			8,775
Inventories		(89,230	)		(4,229	)		—			(93,459	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(1,944	)		(57	)		—			(2,001	)
Accounts payable		57,014			4,392			—			61,406
Manufacturer flooring plans payable		17,198			(344	)		—			16,854
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities		(14,089	)		449			—			(13,640	)
Deferred compensation payable		17			—			—			17
Net cash provided by operating activities		3,437			5,376			—			8,813
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(6,033	)		(255	)		—			(6,288	)
Purchases of rental equipment		(30,204	)		(3,896	)		—			(34,100	)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment		447			74			—			521
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment		17,918			4,463			—			22,381
Investment in subsidiaries		5,721			—			(5,721	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(12,151	)		386			(5,721	)		(17,486	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility		240,088			—			—			240,088
Payments on senior secured credit facility		(343,989	)		—			—			(343,989	)
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes		107,250			—			—			107,250
Payments of deferred financing costs		(564	)		—			—			(564	)
Payments on capital lease obligations		—			(41	)		—			(41	)
Capital contributions		—			(5,721	)		5,721			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		2,785			(5,762	)		5,721			2,744
Net decrease in cash		(5,929	)		—			—			(5,929	)
Cash, beginning of period		8,894			—			—			8,894
Cash, end of period	$	2,965		$	—		$	—		$	2,965

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Estimated Incremental Borrowing Rates for Similar Types of Borrowing Arrangements (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Manufacturer flooring plans payable with interest computed at 5.25% (Level 3)	$56,313	$49,062
Capital leases payable with interest computed at 5.929% to 9.55% (Level 3)	2,234	2,278
Carrying Amount [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Manufacturer flooring plans payable with interest computed at 5.25% (Level 3)	56,313	49,062
Capital leases payable with interest computed at 5.929% to 9.55% (Level 3)	2,234	2,278
Letter of credit (Level 3)	'	'
Carrying Amount [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Senior unsecured notes with interest computed at 7.0% (Level 1)	630,000	630,000
Fair Value [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Manufacturer flooring plans payable with interest computed at 5.25% (Level 3)	49,347	42,686
Capital leases payable with interest computed at 5.929% to 9.55% (Level 3)	1,671	1,717
Letter of credit (Level 3)	146	146
Fair Value [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Senior unsecured notes with interest computed at 7.0% (Level 1)	$693,000	$686,700

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Estimated Incremental Borrowing Rates for Similar Types of Borrowing Arrangements (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Carrying Amount [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Manufacturer flooring plans payable, interest rate	5.25%	5.25%
Capital lease payable, interest rate, minimum	5.93%	5.93%
Capital lease payable interest rate, maximum	9.55%	9.55%
Carrying Amount [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Senior unsecured notes, interest rate	7.00%	7.00%
Fair Value [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Manufacturer flooring plans payable, interest rate	5.25%	5.25%
Capital lease payable, interest rate, minimum	5.93%	5.93%
Capital lease payable interest rate, maximum	9.55%	9.55%
Fair Value [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Senior unsecured notes, interest rate	7.00%	7.00%

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru4

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Transfer of financial assets	$0	$0
Transfer of financial liabilities	$0	$0

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_of

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Activity in Stockholders' Equity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
			Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings (Deficit) [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance, value	$94,812	'	$389	$215,775	($58,468)	($58,468)	($62,884)
Beginning balance, shares	39,023,594	'	39,023,594	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	808	'	'	808	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock, value	1	'	1	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock, shares	'	'	10,380	'	'	'	'
Net income	7,436	4,777	'	'	'	'	7,436
Ending balance, value	$103,057	'	$390	$216,583	($58,468)	($58,468)	($55,448)
Ending balance, shares	39,033,974	'	39,033,974	'	'	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based incentive compensation plan	3,604,046
Unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock	$2.40
Expected non-vested stock recognized over a weighted-average period	'1 year 9 months 18 days
Aggregate intrinsic value	$2.10

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Non-Vested Stock Activity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Nonvested stock, beginning balance, Number of Shares	187,867
Granted, Number of Shares	10,380
Vested, Number of Shares	-10,380
Forfeited, Number of Shares	'
Nonvested stock, ending balance, Number of Shares	187,867
Nonvested stock, beginning balance, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$18.21
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$28.91
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$28.91
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'
Nonvested stock, ending balance, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$18.21

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu1

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Compensation Expense Related to Non-Vested Stock (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'
Compensation expense	$808	$938

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu2

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Stock Options Activity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Options, Outstanding, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	51,000
Stock Options, Granted, Number of Shares	'
Stock Options, Exercised, Number of Shares	'
Stock Options, Canceled, forfeited or expired, Number of Shares	'
Stock Options, Outstanding, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	51,000
Stock Options, Exercisable, Number of Shares	51,000
Stock Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$17.80
Stock Options, Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'
Stock Options, Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'
Stock Options, Canceled, forfeited or expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'
Stock Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance	$17.80
Stock Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$17.80
Stock Options, Granted, Weighted Average Contractual Life In Years	'
Stock Options, Exercised, Weighted Average Contractual Life In Years	'
Stock Options, Canceled, forfeited or expired, Weighted Average Contractual Life In Years	'
Stock Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Contractual Life In Years	'2 years 3 months 18 days
Stock Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Contractual Life In Years	'2 years 3 months 18 days

Income_per_Share_Summary_of_Co

Income per Share - Summary of Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Basic net income per share:	'	'
Net income	$7,436	$4,777
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	35,108	34,976
Net income per common share - basic	$0.21	$0.14
Diluted net income per share:	'	'
Net income	$7,436	$4,777
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	35,108	34,976
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted	35,218	35,097
Net income per common share - diluted	$0.21	$0.14
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'
Effect of dilutive non-vested stock	23	14
Common shares excluded from the denominator as anti-dilutive:	'	'
Common shares excluded from the denominator as anti-dilutive	'	'
Non-vested restricted stock [Member]	'	'
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'
Effect of dilutive non-vested stock	87	107
Common shares excluded from the denominator as anti-dilutive:	'	'
Common shares excluded from the denominator as anti-dilutive	'	'

Senior_Unsecured_Notes_Reconci

Senior Unsecured Notes - Reconciliation of Senior Secured Notes to Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 04, 2013
			Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured notes	$628,546	$521,065	'	'	'
Accretion of discount	'	'	264	1,044	'
Aggregate principal amount issued	'	'	'	'	100,000
Amortization of note premium	-42	-105	-222	-813	'
Premium on notes issued	'	'	'	'	8,500
Initial purchaser's discount	'	'	'	'	-1,250
Senior unsecured notes	$628,588	'	'	'	'

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	Customer
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'
Number of reportable segment	5	'
Sales to international customers	1.60%	1.80%
Customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue	10	'

Segment_Information_Informatio

Segment Information - Information about Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Revenues:	'	'	'
Total revenues	$237,229	$212,388	'
Segment Gross Profit:	'	'	'
Total gross profit	72,784	64,480	'
Segment identified assets:	'	'	'
Total assets	1,160,666	'	1,090,340
Equipment rentals [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Gross Profit:	'	'	'
Total gross profit	39,002	33,635	'
New equipment sales [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Gross Profit:	'	'	'
Total gross profit	7,813	5,584	'
Used equipment sales [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Gross Profit:	'	'	'
Total gross profit	8,927	9,401	'
Parts sales [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Gross Profit:	'	'	'
Total gross profit	7,520	6,648	'
Services revenues [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Gross Profit:	'	'	'
Total gross profit	8,907	8,808	'
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Revenues:	'	'	'
Total revenues	224,566	200,345	'
Segment Gross Profit:	'	'	'
Total gross profit	72,169	64,076	'
Segment identified assets:	'	'	'
Total assets	873,021	'	800,350
Operating Segments [Member] | Equipment rentals [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Revenues:	'	'	'
Total revenues	86,224	75,370	'
Segment Gross Profit:	'	'	'
Total gross profit	39,002	33,635	'
Segment identified assets:	'	'	'
Total assets	704,237	'	688,710
Operating Segments [Member] | New equipment sales [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Revenues:	'	'	'
Total revenues	69,547	53,323	'
Segment Gross Profit:	'	'	'
Total gross profit	7,813	5,584	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Used equipment sales [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Revenues:	'	'	'
Total revenues	29,345	32,149	'
Segment Gross Profit:	'	'	'
Total gross profit	8,927	9,401	'
Segment identified assets:	'	'	'
Total assets	150,622	'	95,392
Operating Segments [Member] | Parts sales [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Revenues:	'	'	'
Total revenues	25,802	24,952	'
Segment Gross Profit:	'	'	'
Total gross profit	7,520	6,648	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Services revenues [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Revenues:	'	'	'
Total revenues	13,648	14,551	'
Segment Gross Profit:	'	'	'
Total gross profit	8,907	8,808	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Parts and service [Member]	'	'	'
Segment identified assets:	'	'	'
Total assets	18,162	'	16,248
Non-Segmented [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Revenues:	'	'	'
Total revenues	12,663	12,043	'
Segment Gross Profit:	'	'	'
Total gross profit	615	404	'
Segment identified assets:	'	'	'
Total assets	$287,645	'	$289,990

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash	$4,965	$17,607	$2,965	$8,894
Receivables, net	137,258	131,970	'	'
Inventories, net	168,784	111,640	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other assets	10,041	6,024	'	'
Rental equipment, net	704,237	688,710	'	'
Property and equipment, net	99,763	98,503	'	'
Deferred financing costs, net	4,421	4,689	'	'
Investment in guarantor subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	31,197	31,197	'	'
Total assets	1,160,666	1,090,340	'	'
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:	'	'	'	'
Amount due on senior secured credit facility	123,967	102,460	'	'
Accounts payable	112,506	67,779	'	'
Manufacturer flooring plans payable	56,313	49,062	'	'
Dividends payable	633	633	'	'
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities	39,082	54,439	'	'
Senior unsecured notes	628,588	628,546	'	521,065
Capital lease payable	2,234	2,278	'	'
Deferred income taxes	92,230	88,291	'	'
Deferred compensation payable	2,056	2,040	'	'
Total liabilities	1,057,609	995,528	'	'
Stockholders' equity	103,057	94,812	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,160,666	1,090,340	'	'
H & E Equipment Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash	4,965	17,607	2,965	8,894
Receivables, net	120,742	114,525	'	'
Inventories, net	155,396	102,125	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other assets	9,820	5,853	'	'
Rental equipment, net	601,871	582,721	'	'
Property and equipment, net	87,071	85,826	'	'
Deferred financing costs, net	4,421	4,689	'	'
Investment in guarantor subsidiaries	165,398	165,703	'	'
Goodwill	1,671	1,671	'	'
Total assets	1,151,355	1,080,720	'	'
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:	'	'	'	'
Amount due on senior secured credit facility	123,967	102,460	'	'
Accounts payable	105,623	60,787	'	'
Manufacturer flooring plans payable	56,357	49,062	'	'
Dividends payable	633	656	'	'
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities	38,844	54,066	'	'
Senior unsecured notes	628,588	628,546	'	'
Capital lease payable	'	'	'	'
Deferred income taxes	92,230	88,291	'	'
Deferred compensation payable	2,056	2,040	'	'
Total liabilities	1,048,298	985,908	'	'
Stockholders' equity	103,057	94,812	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,151,355	1,080,720	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash	'	'	'	'
Receivables, net	16,516	17,445	'	'
Inventories, net	13,388	9,515	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other assets	221	171	'	'
Rental equipment, net	102,366	105,989	'	'
Property and equipment, net	12,692	12,677	'	'
Deferred financing costs, net	'	'	'	'
Investment in guarantor subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	29,526	29,526	'	'
Total assets	174,709	175,323	'	'
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:	'	'	'	'
Amount due on senior secured credit facility	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	6,883	6,992	'	'
Manufacturer flooring plans payable	-44	'	'	'
Dividends payable	'	-23	'	'
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities	238	373	'	'
Senior unsecured notes	'	'	'	'
Capital lease payable	2,234	2,278	'	'
Deferred income taxes	'	'	'	'
Deferred compensation payable	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities	9,311	9,620	'	'
Stockholders' equity	165,398	165,703	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	174,709	175,323	'	'
Elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash	'	'	'	'
Receivables, net	'	'	'	'
Inventories, net	'	'	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other assets	'	'	'	'
Rental equipment, net	'	'	'	'
Property and equipment, net	'	'	'	'
Deferred financing costs, net	'	'	'	'
Investment in guarantor subsidiaries	-165,398	-165,703	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	'
Total assets	-165,398	-165,703	'	'
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:	'	'	'	'
Amount due on senior secured credit facility	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	'	'	'	'
Manufacturer flooring plans payable	'	'	'	'
Dividends payable	'	'	'	'
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured notes	'	'	'	'
Capital lease payable	'	'	'	'
Deferred income taxes	'	'	'	'
Deferred compensation payable	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' equity	-165,398	-165,703	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	($165,398)	($165,703)	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues:	'	'
Equipment rentals	$86,224	$75,370
New equipment sales	69,547	53,323
Used equipment sales	29,345	32,149
Parts sales	25,802	24,952
Services revenues	13,648	14,551
Other	12,663	12,043
Total revenues	237,229	212,388
Cost of revenues:	'	'
Rental depreciation	32,998	28,132
Rental expense	14,224	13,603
New equipment sales	61,734	47,739
Used equipment sales	20,418	22,748
Parts sales	18,282	18,304
Services revenues	4,741	5,743
Other	12,048	11,639
Total cost of revenues	164,445	147,908
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	72,784	64,480
Selling, general and administrative expenses	48,856	46,264
Equity in earnings (loss) of guarantor subsidiaries	'	'
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net	663	500
Income from operations	24,591	18,716
Other income (expense):	'	'
Interest expense	-12,650	-12,272
Other, net	306	507
Total other expense, net	-12,344	-11,765
Income (loss) before income taxes	12,247	6,951
Income tax expense	4,811	2,174
Net income (loss)	7,436	4,777
Equipment rentals [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	39,002	33,635
New equipment sales [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	7,813	5,584
Used equipment sales [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	8,927	9,401
Parts sales [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	7,520	6,648
Services revenues [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	8,907	8,808
Other [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	615	404
H & E Equipment Services [Member]	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Equipment rentals	73,445	62,909
New equipment sales	61,050	47,271
Used equipment sales	21,574	25,526
Parts sales	22,399	21,315
Services revenues	11,572	12,768
Other	10,536	9,938
Total revenues	200,576	179,727
Cost of revenues:	'	'
Rental depreciation	27,785	23,023
Rental expense	11,938	11,279
New equipment sales	54,126	42,394
Used equipment sales	14,489	17,658
Parts sales	15,912	15,667
Services revenues	3,976	5,141
Other	9,854	9,422
Total cost of revenues	138,080	124,584
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	62,496	55,143
Selling, general and administrative expenses	41,275	38,479
Equity in earnings (loss) of guarantor subsidiaries	199	-816
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net	513	426
Income from operations	21,933	16,274
Other income (expense):	'	'
Interest expense	-9,951	-9,803
Other, net	265	480
Total other expense, net	-9,686	-9,323
Income (loss) before income taxes	12,247	6,951
Income tax expense	4,811	2,174
Net income (loss)	7,436	4,777
H & E Equipment Services [Member] | Equipment rentals [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	33,722	28,607
H & E Equipment Services [Member] | New equipment sales [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	6,924	4,877
H & E Equipment Services [Member] | Used equipment sales [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	7,085	7,868
H & E Equipment Services [Member] | Parts sales [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	6,487	5,648
H & E Equipment Services [Member] | Services revenues [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	7,596	7,627
H & E Equipment Services [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	682	516
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Equipment rentals	12,779	12,461
New equipment sales	8,497	6,052
Used equipment sales	7,771	6,623
Parts sales	3,403	3,637
Services revenues	2,076	1,783
Other	2,127	2,105
Total revenues	36,653	32,661
Cost of revenues:	'	'
Rental depreciation	5,213	5,109
Rental expense	2,286	2,324
New equipment sales	7,608	5,345
Used equipment sales	5,929	5,090
Parts sales	2,370	2,637
Services revenues	765	602
Other	2,194	2,217
Total cost of revenues	26,365	23,324
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	10,288	9,337
Selling, general and administrative expenses	7,581	7,785
Equity in earnings (loss) of guarantor subsidiaries	'	'
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net	150	74
Income from operations	2,857	1,626
Other income (expense):	'	'
Interest expense	-2,699	-2,469
Other, net	41	27
Total other expense, net	-2,658	-2,442
Income (loss) before income taxes	199	-816
Income tax expense	'	'
Net income (loss)	199	-816
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Equipment rentals [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	5,280	5,028
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | New equipment sales [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	889	707
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Used equipment sales [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	1,842	1,533
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Parts sales [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	1,033	1,000
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Services revenues [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	1,311	1,181
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	-67	-112
Elimination [Member]	'	'
Revenues:	'	'
Equipment rentals	'	'
New equipment sales	'	'
Used equipment sales	'	'
Parts sales	'	'
Services revenues	'	'
Other	'	'
Total revenues	'	'
Cost of revenues:	'	'
Rental depreciation	'	'
Rental expense	'	'
New equipment sales	'	'
Used equipment sales	'	'
Parts sales	'	'
Services revenues	'	'
Other	'	'
Total cost of revenues	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	'	'
Equity in earnings (loss) of guarantor subsidiaries	-199	816
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net	'	'
Income from operations	-199	816
Other income (expense):	'	'
Interest expense	'	'
Other, net	'	'
Total other expense, net	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-199	816
Income tax expense	'	'
Net income (loss)	-199	816
Elimination [Member] | Equipment rentals [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	'	'
Elimination [Member] | New equipment sales [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	'	'
Elimination [Member] | Used equipment sales [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	'	'
Elimination [Member] | Parts sales [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	'	'
Elimination [Member] | Services revenues [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	'	'
Elimination [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'
Gross profit (loss):	'	'
Gross profit	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$7,436	$4,777
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment	4,780	3,935
Depreciation of rental equipment	32,998	28,132
Amortization of deferred financing costs	268	281
Accretion of note discount, net of premium amortization	42	105
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	734	767
Provision for inventory obsolescence	63	56
Provision for deferred income taxes	3,939	649
Stock-based compensation expense	808	938
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net	-663	-500
Gain on sales of rental equipment, net	-8,357	-8,498
Writedown of goodwill for tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill	'	219
Equity in earnings (loss) of guarantor subsidiaries	'	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Receivables	-6,022	8,775
Inventories	-82,514	-93,459
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-4,017	-2,001
Accounts payable	44,727	61,406
Manufacturer flooring plans payable	7,251	16,854
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities	-15,357	-13,640
Deferred compensation payable	16	17
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-13,867	8,813
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-6,059	-6,288
Purchases of rental equipment	-39,663	-34,100
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	682	521
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment	24,802	22,381
Investment in subsidiaries	'	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-20,238	-17,486
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility	266,183	240,088
Payments on senior secured credit facility	-244,676	-343,989
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes	'	107,250
Dividends paid	'	'
Payments of deferred financing costs	'	-564
Payments on capital lease obligations	-44	-41
Capital contributions	'	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	21,463	2,744
Net decrease in cash	-12,642	-5,929
Cash, beginning of period	17,607	8,894
Cash, end of period	4,965	2,965
H & E Equipment Services [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	7,436	4,777
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment	4,193	3,435
Depreciation of rental equipment	27,785	23,023
Amortization of deferred financing costs	268	281
Accretion of note discount, net of premium amortization	42	105
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	627	569
Provision for inventory obsolescence	63	56
Provision for deferred income taxes	3,939	649
Stock-based compensation expense	808	938
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net	-513	-426
Gain on sales of rental equipment, net	-6,547	-6,991
Writedown of goodwill for tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill	'	219
Equity in earnings (loss) of guarantor subsidiaries	-199	816
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Receivables	-6,844	7,020
Inventories	-75,278	-89,230
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-3,967	-1,944
Accounts payable	44,836	57,014
Manufacturer flooring plans payable	7,295	17,198
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities	-15,222	-14,089
Deferred compensation payable	16	17
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-11,261	3,437
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-5,457	-6,033
Purchases of rental equipment	-36,595	-30,204
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	532	447
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment	18,151	17,918
Investment in subsidiaries	504	5,721
Net cash used in investing activities	-22,865	-12,151
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility	266,183	240,088
Payments on senior secured credit facility	-244,676	-343,989
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes	'	107,250
Dividends paid	-23	'
Payments of deferred financing costs	'	-564
Payments on capital lease obligations	'	'
Capital contributions	'	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	21,484	2,785
Net decrease in cash	-12,642	-5,929
Cash, beginning of period	17,607	8,894
Cash, end of period	4,965	2,965
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	199	-816
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment	587	500
Depreciation of rental equipment	5,213	5,109
Amortization of deferred financing costs	'	'
Accretion of note discount, net of premium amortization	'	'
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	107	198
Provision for inventory obsolescence	'	'
Provision for deferred income taxes	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'	'
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net	-150	-74
Gain on sales of rental equipment, net	-1,810	-1,507
Equity in earnings (loss) of guarantor subsidiaries	'	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Receivables	822	1,755
Inventories	-7,236	-4,229
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-50	-57
Accounts payable	-109	4,392
Manufacturer flooring plans payable	-44	-344
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities	-135	449
Deferred compensation payable	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-2,606	5,376
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-602	-255
Purchases of rental equipment	-3,068	-3,896
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	150	74
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment	6,651	4,463
Investment in subsidiaries	'	'
Net cash used in investing activities	3,131	386
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility	'	'
Payments on senior secured credit facility	'	'
Dividends paid	23	'
Payments on capital lease obligations	-44	-41
Capital contributions	-504	-5,721
Net cash provided by financing activities	-525	-5,762
Net decrease in cash	'	'
Cash, beginning of period	'	'
Cash, end of period	'	'
Elimination [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	-199	816
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment	'	'
Depreciation of rental equipment	'	'
Amortization of deferred financing costs	'	'
Accretion of note discount, net of premium amortization	'	'
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	'	'
Provision for inventory obsolescence	'	'
Provision for deferred income taxes	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'	'
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net	'	'
Gain on sales of rental equipment, net	'	'
Equity in earnings (loss) of guarantor subsidiaries	199	-816
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Receivables	'	'
Inventories	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other assets	'	'
Accounts payable	'	'
Manufacturer flooring plans payable	'	'
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities	'	'
Deferred compensation payable	'	'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	'	'
Purchases of rental equipment	'	'
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	'	'
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	-504	-5,721
Net cash used in investing activities	-504	-5,721
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility	'	'
Payments on senior secured credit facility	'	'
Dividends paid	'	'
Payments on capital lease obligations	'	'
Capital contributions	504	5,721
Net cash provided by financing activities	504	5,721
Net decrease in cash	'	'
Cash, beginning of period	'	'
Cash, end of period	'	'