2.2.0.25truefalse4064 - Disclosure - Cat Financial Financing Activities (Details 5)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2010
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$I2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2009
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$I2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2008
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$I2008http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2007
USD ($) / shares
USD ($)
$I2007http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2007-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0cat_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossAdditionalInformationAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse3false0cat_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesIndividuallyEvaluatedForImpairmentcatfalsedebitinstantThe valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were individually evaluated for...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse7900000079falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were individually evaluated for impairment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse4false0cat_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairmentcatfalsecreditinstantThe valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were collectively evaluated for...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse283000000283falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were collectively evaluated for impairment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse5false0cat_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossescatfalsecreditinstantA valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse362000000362falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse376000000376falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse391000000391falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse351000000351falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryA valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse6true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse7false0cat_FinancingReceivableIndividuallyEvaluatedForImpairmentcatfalsedebitinstantThe balance of financing receivables that were individually evaluated for impairment.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse641000000641falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe balance of financing receivables that were individually evaluated for impairment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse8false0cat_FinancingReceivableCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairmentcatfalsedebitinstantThe balance of financing receivables that were collectively evaluated for impairment.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1928200000019282falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe balance of financing receivables that were collectively evaluated for impairment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse9false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1992300000019923falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse10false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_CustomerMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse11true0cat_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossAdditionalInformationAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse12false0cat_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesIndividuallyEvaluatedForImpairmentcatfalsedebitinstantThe valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were individually evaluated for...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse7900000079falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were individually evaluated for impairment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse13false0cat_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairmentcatfalsecreditinstantThe valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were collectively evaluated for...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse278000000278falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were collectively evaluated for impairment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse14false0cat_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossescatfalsecreditinstantA valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse357000000357falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryA valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse15true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse16false0cat_FinancingReceivableIndividuallyEvaluatedForImpairmentcatfalsedebitinstantThe balance of financing receivables that were individually evaluated for impairment.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse641000000641falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe balance of financing receivables that were individually evaluated for impairment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse17false0cat_FinancingReceivableCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairmentcatfalsedebitinstantThe balance of financing receivables that were collectively evaluated for impairment.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1733900000017339falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe balance of financing receivables that were collectively evaluated for impairment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse18false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1798000000017980falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse19false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_CustomerMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse21true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse22false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1734100000017341falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse23false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : North America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_CustomerMember_NorthAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseNorth Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NorthAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse25true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse26false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse62310000006231falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse27false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Europe
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_CustomerMember_EuropeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseEuropecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_EuropeMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse29true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse30false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse24210000002421falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse31false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Asia/Pacific
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_CustomerMember_AsiaPacificMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAsia/Pacificcat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_AsiaPacificMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse33true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse34false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse34980000003498falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse35false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Latin America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_CustomerMember_LatinAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseLatin Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LatinAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse37true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse38false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse22870000002287falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse39false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Global Power Finance
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_CustomerMember_GlobalPowerFinanceMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseGlobal Power Financecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_GlobalPowerFinanceMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse41true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse42false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse29040000002904falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse43false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse12falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Non-Performing
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember_CustomerMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseNon-Performingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse45true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse46false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse639000000639falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse47false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse13falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Non-Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : North America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember_CustomerMember_NorthAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseNon-Performingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseNorth Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NorthAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse49true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse50false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse217000000217falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse51false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse14falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Non-Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Europe
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember_CustomerMember_EuropeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseNon-Performingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseEuropecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_EuropeMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse53true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse54false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse8900000089falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse55false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse15falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Non-Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Asia/Pacific
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember_CustomerMember_AsiaPacificMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseNon-Performingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAsia/Pacificcat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_AsiaPacificMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse57true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse58false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3100000031falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse59false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse16falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Non-Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Latin America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember_CustomerMember_LatinAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseNon-Performingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseLatin Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LatinAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse61true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse62false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse139000000139falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse63false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse17falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Non-Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Global Power Finance
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember_CustomerMember_GlobalPowerFinanceMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseNon-Performingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseGlobal Power Financecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_GlobalPowerFinanceMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse65true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse66false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse163000000163falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse67false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse18falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : North America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_CustomerMember_NorthAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseNorth Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NorthAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse69true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse70false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse64480000006448falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse71false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse19falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Europe
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_CustomerMember_EuropeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseEuropecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_EuropeMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse73true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse74false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse25100000002510falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse75false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse20falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Asia/Pacific
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_CustomerMember_AsiaPacificMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAsia/Pacificcat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_AsiaPacificMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse77true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse78false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse35290000003529falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse79false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse21falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Latin America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_CustomerMember_LatinAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseLatin Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LatinAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse81true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse82false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse24260000002426falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse83false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse22falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Customer
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Global Power Finance
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_CustomerMember_GlobalPowerFinanceMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCustomercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_CustomerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseGlobal Power Financecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_GlobalPowerFinanceMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse85true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse86false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30670000003067falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse87false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse23falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Dealer
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_DealerMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDealercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_DealerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse88true0cat_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossAdditionalInformationAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse89false0cat_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairmentcatfalsecreditinstantThe valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were collectively evaluated for...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse50000005falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were collectively evaluated for impairment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse90false0cat_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossescatfalsecreditinstantA valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse50000005falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryA valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse91true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse92false0cat_FinancingReceivableCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairmentcatfalsedebitinstantThe balance of financing receivables that were collectively evaluated for impairment.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse19430000001943falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe balance of financing receivables that were collectively evaluated for impairment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse93false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse19430000001943falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse94false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse24falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Dealer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_DealerMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDealercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_DealerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse96true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse97false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse19430000001943falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse98false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse25falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Dealer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : North America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_DealerMember_NorthAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDealercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_DealerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseNorth Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NorthAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse100true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse101false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse12910000001291falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse102false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse26falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Dealer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Europe
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_DealerMember_EuropeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDealercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_DealerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseEuropecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_EuropeMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse104true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse105false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4100000041falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse106false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse27falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Dealer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Asia/Pacific
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_DealerMember_AsiaPacificMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDealercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_DealerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAsia/Pacificcat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_AsiaPacificMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse108true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse109false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse151000000151falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse110false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse28falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Dealer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Latin America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_DealerMember_LatinAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDealercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_DealerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseLatin Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LatinAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse112true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse113false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse457000000457falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse114false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse29falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Dealer
{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Global Power Finance
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_DealerMember_GlobalPowerFinanceMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDealercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_DealerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseGlobal Power Financecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_GlobalPowerFinanceMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse116true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse117false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse118false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse30falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Dealer
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : North America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_DealerMember_NorthAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDealercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_DealerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseNorth Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NorthAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse120true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse121false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse12910000001291falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse122false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse31falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Dealer
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Europe
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_DealerMember_EuropeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDealercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_DealerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseEuropecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_EuropeMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse124true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse125false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4100000041falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse126false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse32falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Dealer
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Asia/Pacific
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_DealerMember_AsiaPacificMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDealercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_DealerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAsia/Pacificcat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_AsiaPacificMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse128true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse129false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse151000000151falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse130false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse33falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Dealer
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Latin America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_DealerMember_LatinAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDealercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_DealerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseLatin Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LatinAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse132true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse133false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse457000000457falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse134false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse34falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxis} : Dealer
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Global Power Finance
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_DealerMember_GlobalPowerFinanceMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseDealercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_DealerMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByPortfolioSegmentAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseGlobal Power Financecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_GlobalPowerFinanceMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse136true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse137false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse138false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse35falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse140true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse141false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1928400000019284falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse142false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse36falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : North America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_NorthAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseNorth Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NorthAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse144true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse145false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse75220000007522falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse146false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse37falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Europe
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_EuropeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseEuropecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_EuropeMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse148true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse149false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse24620000002462falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse150false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse38falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Asia/Pacific
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_AsiaPacificMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAsia/Pacificcat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_AsiaPacificMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse152true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse153false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse36490000003649falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse154false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse39falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Latin America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_LatinAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseLatin Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LatinAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse156true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse157false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse27440000002744falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse158false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse40falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Global Power Finance
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_GlobalPowerFinanceMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalsePerformingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_PerformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseGlobal Power Financecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_GlobalPowerFinanceMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse160true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse161false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse29070000002907falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse162false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse41falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Non-Performing
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseNon-Performingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse164true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse165false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse639000000639falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse166false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse42falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Non-Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : North America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember_NorthAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseNon-Performingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseNorth Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NorthAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse168true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse169false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse217000000217falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse170false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse43falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Non-Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Europe
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember_EuropeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseNon-Performingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseEuropecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_EuropeMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse172true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse173false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse8900000089falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse174false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse44falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Non-Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Asia/Pacific
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember_AsiaPacificMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseNon-Performingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseAsia/Pacificcat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_AsiaPacificMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse176true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse177false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3100000031falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse178false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse45falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Non-Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Latin America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember_LatinAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseNon-Performingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseLatin Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LatinAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse180true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse181false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse139000000139falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse182false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse46falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxis} : Non-Performing
{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Global Power Finance
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember_GlobalPowerFinanceMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseNon-Performingcat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMembercat_FinancingReceivableInformationByCreditQualityIndicatorAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseGlobal Power Financecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_GlobalPowerFinanceMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse184true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse185false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse163000000163falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse186false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse47falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : North America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_NorthAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseNorth Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_NorthAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse188true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse189false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse77390000007739falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse190false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse48falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Europe
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_EuropeMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseEuropecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_EuropeMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse192true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse193false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse25510000002551falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse194false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse49falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Asia/Pacific
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_AsiaPacificMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseAsia/Pacificcat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_AsiaPacificMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse196true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse197false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse36800000003680falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse198false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse50falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Latin America
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_LatinAmericaMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseLatin Americacat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LatinAmericaMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse200true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse201false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse28830000002883falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse202false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurecatfinancialfinancingactivitiesdetails51falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse51falsefalseUSDtruefalse{cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis} : Global Power Finance
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_GlobalPowerFinanceMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseGlobal Power Financecat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_GlobalPowerFinanceMembercat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse204true0cat_FinanceReceivableRecordedInvestmentAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse205false0cat_FinancingReceivablecatfalsedebitinstantThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30700000003070falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of the recorded investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable (with terms exceeding one year), notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse4159Cat Financial Financing Activities (Details 5) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
