2.2.0.25truefalse4110 - Disclosure - Available-for-sale securities (Details)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$2true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse12930000001293falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse13010000001301falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse12570000001257falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse4false0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedGainsLossesNetcatfalsecreditinstantThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse7700000077falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2100000021falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-125000000-125falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such net unrealized gains (losses) are the difference of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities as compared to their carrying value as of the reporting date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse5false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse13700000001370falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse13220000001322falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse11320000001132falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalse6false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. treasury bonds 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010_USTreasurySecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. treasury bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. treasury bonds 12/31/2009 USD ($) $I2009_USTreasurySecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. treasury bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. treasury bonds 12/31/2008 USD ($) $I2008_USTreasurySecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. treasury bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse7true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse8false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1200000012falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1400000014falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1400000014falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse9false0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedGainsLossesNetcatfalsecreditinstantThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such net unrealized gains (losses) are the difference of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities as compared to their carrying value as of the reporting date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse10false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1200000012falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1400000014falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1500000015falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalse11false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010_OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovermentDebtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseOther U.S. and non-U.S. government bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovermentDebtMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds 12/31/2009 USD ($) $I2009_OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovermentDebtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseOther U.S. and non-U.S. government bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovermentDebtMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds 12/31/2008 USD ($) $I2008_OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovermentDebtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseOther U.S. and non-U.S. government bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovermentDebtMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse12true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse13false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse7600000076falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse6500000065falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1500000015falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse14false0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedGainsLossesNetcatfalsecreditinstantThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-1000000-1falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such net unrealized gains (losses) are the difference of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities as compared to their carrying value as of the reporting date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse15false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse7700000077falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse6500000065falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1400000014falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalse16false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Corporate bonds 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010_CorporateBondSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$11falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Corporate bonds 12/31/2009 USD ($) $I2009_CorporateBondSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$12falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Corporate bonds 12/31/2008 USD ($) $I2008_CorporateBondSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse17true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse18false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse481000000481falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse455000000455falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse343000000343falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse19false0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedGainsLossesNetcatfalsecreditinstantThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3000000030falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2000000020falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-22000000-22falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such net unrealized gains (losses) are the difference of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities as compared to their carrying value as of the reporting date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse20false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse511000000511falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse475000000475falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse321000000321falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalse21false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse13falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Asset-backed securities 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010_AssetBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseAsset-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$14falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Asset-backed securities 12/31/2009 USD ($) $I2009_AssetBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseAsset-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$15falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Asset-backed securities 12/31/2008 USD ($) $I2008_AssetBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseAsset-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse22true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse23false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse136000000136falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse141000000141falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse165000000165falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse24false0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedGainsLossesNetcatfalsecreditinstantThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-7000000-7falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-27000000-27falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such net unrealized gains (losses) are the difference of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities as compared to their carrying value as of the reporting date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse25false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse136000000136falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse134000000134falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse138000000138falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalse26false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse16falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. governmental agency mortgage-backed securities 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. governmental agency mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$17falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. governmental agency mortgage-backed securities 12/31/2009 USD ($) $I2009_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. governmental agency mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$18falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. governmental agency mortgage-backed securities 12/31/2008 USD ($) $I2008_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. governmental agency mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse27true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse28false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse258000000258falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse295000000295falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse319000000319falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse29false0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedGainsLossesNetcatfalsecreditinstantThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1500000015falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1300000013falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse50000005falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such net unrealized gains (losses) are the difference of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities as compared to their carrying value as of the reporting date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse30false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse273000000273falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse308000000308falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse324000000324falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalse31false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse19falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Residential mortgage-backed securities 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseResidential mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$20falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Residential mortgage-backed securities 12/31/2009 USD ($) $I2009_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseResidential mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$21falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Residential mortgage-backed securities 12/31/2008 USD ($) $I2008_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseResidential mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse32true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse33false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4300000043falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse6100000061falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse7900000079falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse34false0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedGainsLossesNetcatfalsecreditinstantThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse-3000000-3falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-10000000-10falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-19000000-19falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such net unrealized gains (losses) are the difference of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities as compared to their carrying value as of the reporting date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse35false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse4000000040falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse5100000051falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse6000000060falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalse36false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse22falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Commercial mortgage-backed securities 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCommercial mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$23falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Commercial mortgage-backed securities 12/31/2009 USD ($) $I2009_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCommercial mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$24falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Commercial mortgage-backed securities 12/31/2008 USD ($) $I2008_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCommercial mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse37true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse38false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse164000000164falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse175000000175falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse176000000176falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse39false0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedGainsLossesNetcatfalsecreditinstantThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse40000004falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-13000000-13falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-47000000-47falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such net unrealized gains (losses) are the difference of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities as compared to their carrying value as of the reporting date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse40false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse168000000168falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse162000000162falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse129000000129falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalse41false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse25falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Large capitalization value 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010_LargeCapitalizationMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseLarge capitalization valueus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LargeCapitalizationMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$26falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Large capitalization value 12/31/2009 USD ($) $I2009_LargeCapitalizationMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseLarge capitalization valueus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LargeCapitalizationMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$27falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Large capitalization value 12/31/2008 USD ($) $I2008_LargeCapitalizationMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseLarge capitalization valueus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LargeCapitalizationMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse42true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse43false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse100000000100falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse7600000076falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse126000000126falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse44false0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedGainsLossesNetcatfalsecreditinstantThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2200000022falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1300000013falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-13000000-13falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such net unrealized gains (losses) are the difference of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities as compared to their carrying value as of the reporting date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse45false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse122000000122falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse8900000089falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse113000000113falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalse46false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse28falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Smaller company growth 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010_SmallerCompanyMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSmaller company growthus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_SmallerCompanyMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$29falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Smaller company growth 12/31/2009 USD ($) $I2009_SmallerCompanyMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSmaller company growthus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_SmallerCompanyMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$30falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Smaller company growth 12/31/2008 USD ($) $I2008_SmallerCompanyMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2008-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSmaller company growthus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_SmallerCompanyMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse47true0us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItemsus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringLine items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.falsefalse48false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCostus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2300000023falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1900000019falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2000000020falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments, and hedging, if any.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 19 falsefalse49false0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesUnrealizedGainsLossesNetcatfalsecreditinstantThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse80000008falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse50000005falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-2000000-2falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the net unrealized gains (losses) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such net unrealized gains (losses) are the difference of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities as compared to their carrying value as of the reporting date.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse50false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3100000031falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2400000024falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1800000018falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b falsefalse349Available-for-sale securities (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue