2.2.0.25truefalse4221 - Disclosure - Segment information (Details 2)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse10/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$D2010Q4http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-10-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse7/1/2010 - 9/30/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$D2010Q3http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-07-01T00:00:002010-09-30T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDfalsefalse4/1/2010 - 6/30/2010
USD ($) / shares
USD ($)
$D2010Q2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-04-01T00:00:002010-06-30T00:00:00USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 3/31/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$D2010Q1http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-03-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$5falsefalseUSDfalsefalse10/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
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USD ($) / shares
USD ($)
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USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$D2009Q2http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-04-01T00:00:002009-06-30T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2009 - 3/31/2009
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$D2009Q1http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-03-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$D2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$10falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$D2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$11falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
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{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_MachineryEnginesMember_ReportableSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseMachinery and Enginesus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_MachineryEnginesMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseReportable segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ReportableSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$14falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Machinery and Engines
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
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{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_FinancialProductsMember_ReportableSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseFinancial Productsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_FinancialProductsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseReportable segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ReportableSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$16falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Financial Products
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_FinancialProductsMember_ReportableSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseFinancial Productsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_FinancialProductsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseReportable segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ReportableSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$17falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Financial Products
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
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1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
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1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_ReportableSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseReportable segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ReportableSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$20falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
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{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : All other operating segments
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : All other operating segments
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_MachineryEnginesMember_OtherOperatingSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseMachinery and Enginesus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_MachineryEnginesMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAll other operating segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherOperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$23falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Machinery and Engines
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : All other operating segments
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
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{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : All other operating segments
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_FinancialProductsMember_OtherOperatingSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseFinancial Productsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_FinancialProductsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAll other operating segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherOperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse17true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse18false0us-gaap_Revenuesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse1500000015falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
falsefalse19false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse25falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : All other operating segments
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_OtherOperatingSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseAll other operating segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherOperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$26falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : All other operating segments
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_OtherOperatingSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseAll other operating segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherOperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$27falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : All other operating segments
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_OtherOperatingSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseAll other operating segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherOperatingSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse20true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse21false0us-gaap_Revenuesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse98010000009801falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse65940000006594falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse1073800000010738falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
falsefalse22false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse28falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Machinery and Engines
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Other,
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_MachineryEnginesMember_OtherSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseMachinery and Enginesus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_MachineryEnginesMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOther,us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$29falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Machinery and Engines
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Other,
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_MachineryEnginesMember_OtherSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseMachinery and Enginesus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_MachineryEnginesMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOther,us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$30falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Machinery and Engines
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Other,
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_MachineryEnginesMember_OtherSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseMachinery and Enginesus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_MachineryEnginesMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOther,us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse23true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse24false0us-gaap_Revenuesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-21000000-21falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse40000004falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-49000000-49falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
falsefalse25false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse31falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Financial Products
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Other,
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_FinancialProductsMember_OtherSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseFinancial Productsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_FinancialProductsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOther,us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$32falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Financial Products
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Other,
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_FinancialProductsMember_OtherSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseFinancial Productsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_FinancialProductsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOther,us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$33falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Financial Products
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Other,
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_FinancialProductsMember_OtherSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseFinancial Productsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_FinancialProductsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseOther,us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse26true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse27false0us-gaap_Revenuesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse2500000025falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse2900000029falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse2700000027falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
falsefalse28false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse34falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Other,
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_OtherSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther,us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$35falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Other,
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_OtherSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther,us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$36falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Other,
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_OtherSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther,us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse29true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse30false0us-gaap_Revenuesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-261000000-261falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-279000000-279falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-330000000-330falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
falsefalse31false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse37falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Other,
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Consolidating Adjustments
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMember_OtherSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther,us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseConsolidating Adjustmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$38falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Other,
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Consolidating Adjustments
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMember_OtherSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther,us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseConsolidating Adjustmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$39falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Other,
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Consolidating Adjustments
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMember_OtherSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther,us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseConsolidating Adjustmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse32true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse33false0us-gaap_Revenuesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-265000000-265falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-312000000-312falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-308000000-308falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
falsefalse34false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse40falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Machinery and Engines
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_MachineryEnginesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseMachinery and Enginesus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_MachineryEnginesMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$41falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Machinery and Engines
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_MachineryEnginesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseMachinery and Enginesus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_MachineryEnginesMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$42falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Machinery and Engines
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_MachineryEnginesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseMachinery and Enginesus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_MachineryEnginesMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse35true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse36false0us-gaap_Revenuesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse3986700000039867falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse2954000000029540falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse4804400000048044falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
falsefalse37false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse43falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Financial Products
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_FinancialProductsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseFinancial Productsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_FinancialProductsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$44falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Financial Products
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_FinancialProductsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseFinancial Productsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_FinancialProductsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$45falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Financial Products
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_FinancialProductsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseFinancial Productsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_FinancialProductsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse38true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse39false0us-gaap_Revenuesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse29860000002986falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse31680000003168falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse35880000003588falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
falsefalse40false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse46falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Consolidating Adjustments
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseConsolidating Adjustmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$47falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Consolidating Adjustments
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseConsolidating Adjustmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$48falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Consolidating Adjustments
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseConsolidating Adjustmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse41true0us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse42false0us-gaap_Revenuesus-gaaptruecreditdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9truefalsefalse-265000000-265falsetruefalsefalsefalse10truefalsefalse-312000000-312falsetruefalsefalsefalse11truefalsefalse-308000000-308falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 1
-Article 5
falsefalse1141Segment information (Details 2) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
