2.2.0.25truefalse4111 - Disclosure - Available-for-sale securities (Details 2)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2008http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse9900000099falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse7400000074falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse454000000454falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse4false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse7000000070falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for less than twelve months for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse5true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse6false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse7500000075falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse206000000206falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse181000000181falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse7false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1100000011falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3800000038falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse6600000066falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse8true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse9false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse174000000174falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse280000000280falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse635000000635falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse10false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1200000012falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3900000039falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse136000000136falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse11false0cat_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetcatfalsedebitdurationThe amount of other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on equity securities, OTTI related to credit losses on debt...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1200000012falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse3700000037falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on equity securities, OTTI related to credit losses on debt securities, and OTTI losses on debt securities when the entity intends to sell the securities or it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the securities before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Additionally, this item includes OTTI losses recognized during the period on investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse12false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. treasury bonds 12/31/2009 USD ($) $I2009_USTreasurySecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. treasury bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse13true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse14false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse40000004falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse16true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse17false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse40000004falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse18false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $D2008_OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovermentDebtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther U.S. and non-U.S. government bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovermentDebtMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds 12/31/2010 USD ($) $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$7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds 12/31/2009 USD ($) $I2009_OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovermentDebtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseOther U.S. and non-U.S. government bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovermentDebtMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse19true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse20false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1300000013falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1400000014falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse21true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse22false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse80000008falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse23false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse24true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse25false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1600000016falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1600000016falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse80000008falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse26false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse27false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Corporate bonds 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $D2009_CorporateBondSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Corporate bonds 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $D2008_CorporateBondSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Corporate bonds 12/31/2010 USD ($) $I2010_CorporateBondSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseCorporate bondsus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse28true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse29false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2900000029falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2500000025falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse176000000176falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse30false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1800000018falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for less than twelve months for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse31true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse32false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1000000010falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse3300000033falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse33false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse50000005falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse34true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse35false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3000000030falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse3500000035falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse209000000209falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse36false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2300000023falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse37false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse11falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Asset-backed securities 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010_AssetBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseAsset-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$12falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Asset-backed securities 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $D2009_AssetBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseAsset-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$13falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Asset-backed securities 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $D2008_AssetBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseAsset-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse38true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse39false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1900000019falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse40000004falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse101000000101falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse40false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1600000016falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for less than twelve months for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse41true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse42false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1900000019falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4400000044falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse3000000030falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse43false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse40000004falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1000000010falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1100000011falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse44true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse45false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse3800000038falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4800000048falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse131000000131falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse46false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse40000004falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1100000011falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2700000027falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse47false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse14falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. governmental agency mortgage-backed securities 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $D2008_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. governmental agency mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$15falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. governmental agency mortgage-backed securities 12/31/2010 USD ($) $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$16falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. governmental agency mortgage-backed securities 12/31/2009 USD ($) $I2009_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. governmental agency mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse48true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse49false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1600000016falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse70000007falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse50true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse51false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1900000019falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse52false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse53true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse54false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1600000016falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2600000026falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse55false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse56false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse17falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Residential mortgage-backed securities 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseResidential mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$18falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Residential mortgage-backed securities 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $D2009_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseResidential mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$19falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Residential mortgage-backed securities 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $D2008_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseResidential mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse57true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse58false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse3200000032falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse59false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse60000006falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for less than twelve months for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse60true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse61false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2500000025falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4900000049falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2700000027falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse62false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse40000004falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1000000010falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1400000014falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse63true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse64false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2700000027falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4900000049falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse5900000059falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse65false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse40000004falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1000000010falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2000000020falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse66false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse20falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Commercial mortgage-backed securities 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCommercial mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$21falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Commercial mortgage-backed securities 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $D2009_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCommercial mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$22falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Commercial mortgage-backed securities 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $D2008_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCommercial mortgage-backed securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse67true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse68false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2400000024falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse7100000071falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse69false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1500000015falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for less than twelve months for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse70true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse71false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1400000014falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse7300000073falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse5900000059falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse72false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1400000014falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse3200000032falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse73true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse74false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1700000017falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse9700000097falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse130000000130falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse75false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1400000014falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse4700000047falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse76false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse23falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Large capitalization value 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) $D2010_LargeCapitalizationMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseLarge capitalization valueus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LargeCapitalizationMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$24falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Large capitalization value 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) $D2009_LargeCapitalizationMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseLarge capitalization valueus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LargeCapitalizationMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$25falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Large capitalization value 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $D2008_LargeCapitalizationMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseLarge capitalization valueus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_LargeCapitalizationMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse77true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse78false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1400000014falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse6000000060falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse79false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1300000013falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for less than twelve months for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse80true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse81false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1200000012falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2300000023falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse50000005falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse82false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse83true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse84false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse2600000026falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse2500000025falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse6500000065falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse85false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1500000015falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse86false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosureavailableforsalesecuritiesdetails21falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse26falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Smaller company growth 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) $D2008_SmallerCompanyMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseSmaller company growthus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_SmallerCompanyMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$27falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Smaller company growth 12/31/2010 USD ($) $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$28falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : Smaller company growth 12/31/2009 USD ($) $I2009_SmallerCompanyMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSmaller company growthus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldicat_SmallerCompanyMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse87true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse88false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse70000007falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse89false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for less than twelve months for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse90true0cat_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerAbstractcatfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse91false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse20000002falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse92true0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse93false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValueus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse40000004falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse70000007falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the fair value of securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse94false0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLossesus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse20000002falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis item represents the excess of [amortized] cost over fair value of securities in a loss position and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-1 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph a(1) falsefalse392Available-for-sale securities (Details 2) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue