2.2.0.25falsefalse4030 - Disclosure - Derivative Financial Instruments and Risk Management (Details)truefalseIn Millions, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 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$2true0cat_DisclosureDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementDisclosureAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_MaximumLengthOfTimeHedgedInForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse0055falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringMaximum length of time over which the entity is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions, excluding those forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b(3)
falsefalse4false0us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12Monthsus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4000000040falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe estimated net amount of unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b(2)
falsefalse5false0us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNetus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-12000000-12falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe estimated net amount of unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate cash flow hedges as of the balance sheet date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b(2)
falsefalse6false0cat_ManagingCommodityPriceRiskMaximumPeriodcatfalsenadurationThe maximum period of commodity forward and option contracts used by the entity to lock in purchase prices.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse55falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:integerItemTypeintegerThe maximum period of commodity forward and option contracts used by the entity to lock in purchase prices.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse15Derivative Financial Instruments and Risk Management (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue
