2.2.0.25truefalse4225 - Disclosure - Segment information (Details 6)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 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$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
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$3falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$D2008http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$3true0cat_ItemsNotIncludedInSegmentDepreciationAndAmortizationAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse4false0cat_DepreciationAndAmortizationOtherOperatingSegmentscatfalsedebitdurationRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization for other operating segments.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse464000000464falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse417000000417falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse363000000363falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization for other operating segments.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse5false0cat_DepreciationAndAmortizationCostCenterscatfalsedebitdurationRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization of cost centers.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse151000000151falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse173000000173falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse168000000168falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization of cost centers.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse6false0cat_DepreciationAndAmortizationOthercatfalsedebitdurationRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization not specifically attributable to reportable segments, other segments...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-10000000-10falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-59000000-59falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization not specifically attributable to reportable segments, other segments and cost centers.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse7false0us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse22960000002296falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse23360000002336falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse19800000001980falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.No authoritative reference available.truefalse8false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails61falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{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$5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Machinery and Engines
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$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$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Machinery and Engines
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_MachineryEnginesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseMachinery and Enginesus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_MachineryEnginesMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse10true0cat_ItemsNotIncludedInSegmentDepreciationAndAmortizationAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse11false0cat_DepreciationAndAmortizationOtherOperatingSegmentscatfalsedebitdurationRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization for other operating segments.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse456000000456falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse417000000417falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse363000000363falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization for other operating segments.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse12false0cat_DepreciationAndAmortizationCostCenterscatfalsedebitdurationRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization of cost centers.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse151000000151falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse173000000173falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse168000000168falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization of cost centers.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse13false0cat_DepreciationAndAmortizationOthercatfalsedebitdurationRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization not specifically attributable to reportable segments, other segments...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-10000000-10falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-59000000-59falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization not specifically attributable to reportable segments, other segments and cost centers.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse14false0us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse15730000001573falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse15940000001594falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse12250000001225falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.No authoritative reference available.truefalse15false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails61falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Machinery and Engines
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_MachineryEnginesMember_ReportableSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseMachinery 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$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Machinery and Engines
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$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$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Machinery and Engines
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_MachineryEnginesMember_ReportableSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseMachinery and Enginesus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_MachineryEnginesMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseReportable segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ReportableSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse16true0cat_SegmentReportingInformationDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationExpenseLineItemscatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse17false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationExpenseus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse965000000965falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse10140000001014falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse753000000753falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense for the reportable segment. Must be disclosed if the amount (a) is included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) is otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or lossReference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-Paragraph 27
-Subparagraph e
falsefalse19false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails61falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{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$11falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Financial Products
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$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$12falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Financial Products
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_FinancialProductsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseFinancial Productsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_FinancialProductsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse21true0cat_ItemsNotIncludedInSegmentDepreciationAndAmortizationAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse22false0cat_DepreciationAndAmortizationOtherOperatingSegmentscatfalsedebitdurationRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization for other operating segments.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse80000008falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of depreciation and amortization for other operating segments.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse23false0us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse723000000723falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse742000000742falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse755000000755falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.No authoritative reference available.truefalse24false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails61falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse13falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Financial Products
{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$14falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Financial Products
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$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$15falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Financial Products
{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_FinancialProductsMember_ReportableSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseFinancial Productsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_FinancialProductsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseReportable segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ReportableSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse25true0cat_SegmentReportingInformationDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationExpenseLineItemscatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse26false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationExpenseus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse715000000715falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse742000000742falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse755000000755falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense for the reportable segment. Must be disclosed if the amount (a) is included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) is otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or lossReference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-Paragraph 27
-Subparagraph e
falsefalse28false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails61falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse16falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_ReportableSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseReportable segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ReportableSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$17falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$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$18falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_ReportableSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseReportable segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ReportableSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse29true0cat_SegmentReportingInformationDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationExpenseLineItemscatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse30false0us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationExpenseus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse16800000001680falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse17560000001756falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse15080000001508falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense for the reportable segment. Must be disclosed if the amount (a) is included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) is otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or lossReference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-Paragraph 27
-Subparagraph e
falsefalse324Segment information (Details 6) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
