2.2.0.25truefalse4226 - Disclosure - Segment information (Details 7)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_ItemsNotIncludedInSegmentCapitalExpendituresAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse4false0cat_CapitalExpendituresOtherOperatingSegmentscatfalsecreditdurationRepresents the amount of capital expenditures for other operating segments that are not included in reportable segments.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse578000000578falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse380000000380falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse616000000616falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of capital expenditures for other operating segments that are not included in reportable segments.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse5false0cat_CapitalExpendituresCostCenterscatfalsecreditdurationRepresents the capital expenditures attributable to cost centers.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse141000000141falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse119000000119falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse242000000242falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the capital expenditures attributable to cost centers.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse6false0cat_TimingDifferencesInCapitalExpenditurescatfalsecreditdurationThis element represents amount of capital expenditures from timing difference adjustments.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-180000000-180falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse156000000156falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-125000000-125falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents amount of capital expenditures from timing difference adjustments.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse7false0cat_CapitalExpendituresOthercatfalsecreditdurationRepresents the amount of capital expenditures not specifically attributable to reportable segments, other segments and cost...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-26000000-26falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1100000011falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-17000000-17falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of capital expenditures not specifically attributable to reportable segments, other segments and cost centers.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse8false0cat_CapitalExpenditurescatfalsecreditdurationThe cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software,...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse25860000002586falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse24720000002472falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse38860000003886falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. Also includes purchases of long lived, depreciable tangible personal property, non consumable in nature, with finite lives used to generate rental income.No authoritative reference available.truefalse9false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails71falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{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.falsefalse11true0cat_ItemsNotIncludedInSegmentCapitalExpendituresAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse12false0cat_CapitalExpendituresOtherOperatingSegmentscatfalsecreditdurationRepresents the amount of capital expenditures for other operating segments that are not included in reportable segments.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse546000000546falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse380000000380falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse616000000616falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of capital expenditures for other operating segments that are not included in reportable segments.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse13false0cat_CapitalExpendituresCostCenterscatfalsecreditdurationRepresents the capital expenditures attributable to cost centers.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse141000000141falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse119000000119falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse242000000242falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the capital expenditures attributable to cost centers.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse14false0cat_TimingDifferencesInCapitalExpenditurescatfalsecreditdurationThis element represents amount of capital expenditures from timing difference adjustments.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-180000000-180falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse156000000156falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-125000000-125falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents amount of capital expenditures from timing difference adjustments.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse15false0cat_CapitalExpendituresOthercatfalsecreditdurationRepresents the amount of capital expenditures not specifically attributable to reportable segments, other segments and cost...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4300000043falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1500000015falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of capital expenditures not specifically attributable to reportable segments, other segments and cost centers.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse16false0cat_CapitalExpenditurescatfalsecreditdurationThe cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software,...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse16630000001663falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse15000000001500falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse22960000002296falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. Also includes purchases of long lived, depreciable tangible personal property, non consumable in nature, with finite lives used to generate rental income.No authoritative reference available.truefalse17false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails71falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{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.falsefalse18true0cat_SegmentReportingInformationCapitalExpenditureLineItemscatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse19false0cat_SegmentReportingInformationExpenditureForAdditionsLongLivedAssetscatfalsecreditdurationAmount of total capital expenditures attributable to the reportable segments.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse11130000001113falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse830000000830falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse15620000001562falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of total capital expenditures attributable to the reportable segments.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse21false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails71falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{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.falsefalse23true0cat_ItemsNotIncludedInSegmentCapitalExpendituresAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse24false0cat_CapitalExpendituresOtherOperatingSegmentscatfalsecreditdurationRepresents the amount of capital expenditures for other operating segments that are not included in reportable segments.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3200000032falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of capital expenditures for other operating segments that are not included in reportable segments.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse25false0cat_CapitalExpendituresOthercatfalsecreditdurationRepresents the amount of capital expenditures not specifically attributable to reportable segments, other segments and cost...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse40000004falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of capital expenditures not specifically attributable to reportable segments, other segments and cost centers.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse26false0cat_CapitalExpenditurescatfalsecreditdurationThe cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software,...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse992000000992falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse976000000976falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse16120000001612falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. Also includes purchases of long lived, depreciable tangible personal property, non consumable in nature, with finite lives used to generate rental income.No authoritative reference available.truefalse27false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails71falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse13falsefalseUSDtruefalse{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.falsefalse28true0cat_SegmentReportingInformationCapitalExpenditureLineItemscatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse29false0cat_SegmentReportingInformationExpenditureForAdditionsLongLivedAssetscatfalsecreditdurationAmount of total capital expenditures attributable to the reportable segments.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse960000000960falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse976000000976falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse16080000001608falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of total capital expenditures attributable to the reportable segments.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse31false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails71falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse16falsefalseUSDtruefalse{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$17falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Consolidating Adjustments
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$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$18falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxis} : Consolidating Adjustments
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseConsolidating Adjustmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_BusinessIntersegmentEliminationsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationBySegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse33true0cat_ItemsNotIncludedInSegmentCapitalExpendituresAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse34false0cat_CapitalExpendituresOthercatfalsecreditdurationRepresents the amount of capital expenditures not specifically attributable to reportable segments, other segments and cost...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-69000000-69falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-4000000-4falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-22000000-22falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRepresents the amount of capital expenditures not specifically attributable to reportable segments, other segments and cost centers.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse35false0cat_CapitalExpenditurescatfalsecreditdurationThe cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software,...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetotallabel1truefalsefalse-69000000-69falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-4000000-4falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-22000000-22falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. Also includes purchases of long lived, depreciable tangible personal property, non consumable in nature, with finite lives used to generate rental income.No authoritative reference available.truefalse36false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosuresegmentinformationdetails71falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse19falsefalseUSDtruefalse{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$20falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$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$21falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxis} : Reportable segments
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_ReportableSegmentsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseReportable segmentsus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_ReportableSegmentsMemberus-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse37true0cat_SegmentReportingInformationCapitalExpenditureLineItemscatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse38false0cat_SegmentReportingInformationExpenditureForAdditionsLongLivedAssetscatfalsecreditdurationAmount of total capital expenditures attributable to the reportable segments.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse20730000002073falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse18060000001806falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse31700000003170falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAmount of total capital expenditures attributable to the reportable segments.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse331Segment information (Details 7) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
