2.2.0.25truefalse4122 - Disclosure - Postemployment benefit plans (Details 3)truefalseIn Millions, unless otherwise specifiedfalse1falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : U.S. Pension Benefits
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Pension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : U.S. Pension Benefits
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Pension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : U.S. Pension Benefits
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Pension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$1false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurepostemploymentbenefitplansdetails31falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : U.S. Pension Benefits
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Pension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : U.S. Pension Benefits
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Pension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : U.S. Pension Benefits
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Pension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse2true0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForwardus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringA roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.falsefalse3false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse90290000009029falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse67450000006745falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1044100000010441falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAssets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those nonbenefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Subparagraph b
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Paragraph 5
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
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falsefalse4false0cat_EffectOnPlanAssetsDueToChangeInMeasurementDatecatfalsedebitdurationChange in plan assets during the period due to the elimination of early measurement datefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1700000017falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryChange in plan assets during the period due to the elimination of early measurement dateNo authoritative reference available.falsefalse5false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssetsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse16280000001628falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse21940000002194falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-3288000000-3288falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe difference between fair value of plan assets at the end of the period and the fair value at the beginning of the period, adjusted for contributions and payments of benefits during the period, and after adjusting for taxes and other expenses, as applicable.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Subparagraph b
falsefalse7false0cat_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsBenefitsPaidcatfalsecreditdurationChanges in the fair value of plan assets for defined benefit plans due to benefits paid.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegated1truefalsefalse-820000000-820falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-796000000-796falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-713000000-713falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryChanges in the fair value of plan assets for defined benefit plans due to benefits paid.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse8false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndAcquisitionsPlanAssetsus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse40000004falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of increase in the plan assets attributed to a business combination.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
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falsefalse9false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodendlabel1truefalsefalse1076000000010760falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse90290000009029falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse67450000006745falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAssets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those nonbenefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph b
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
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{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Equities
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Debt securities
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Real estate
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$I2010_RealEstateMember_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Pension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseReal estateus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_RealEstateMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : U.S. Pension Benefits
{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Real estate
12/31/2009
USD ($)
$I2009_RealEstateMember_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Pension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseReal estateus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_RealEstateMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse20true0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForwardus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringA roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.falsefalse21false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse1000000010falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1000000010falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAssets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those nonbenefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
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-Publisher FASB
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-Subparagraph b
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
USD ($)
$D2010_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseNon-U.S. Pension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$9falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Non-U.S. Pension Benefits
1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009
USD ($)
$D2009_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseNon-U.S. Pension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$10falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Non-U.S. Pension Benefits
1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
USD ($)
$D2008_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseNon-U.S. Pension Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse24true0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForwardus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringA roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.falsefalse25false0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssetsus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodstartlabel1truefalsefalse27970000002797falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse21750000002175falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse27730000002773falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryAssets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those nonbenefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
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{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Equities
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
D2010_EquitySecuritiesMember_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther Postretirement Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseEquitiesus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse59true0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForwardus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringA roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.falsefalse60false0cat_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetAllocationPercentageOfAssetscatfalsenadurationTarget allocation percentage of investments to total plan assets presented on a weighted-average basis, as of the measurement...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.800.80falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureTarget allocation percentage of investments to total plan assets presented on a weighted-average basis, as of the measurement date, of the latest statement of financial position.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse61false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.cat.com/role/disclosurepostemploymentbenefitplansdetails31falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse19falsefalsetruefalse{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis} : Other Postretirement Benefits
{us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis} : Debt securities
1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010
D2010_DebtSecuritiesMember_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000018230duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseOther Postretirement Benefitsus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseDebt securitiesus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMemberus-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse62true0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanChangeInFairValueOfPlanAssetsRollForwardus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringA roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.falsefalse63false0cat_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetAllocationPercentageOfAssetscatfalsenadurationTarget allocation percentage of investments to total plan assets presented on a weighted-average basis, as of the measurement...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.200.20falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureTarget allocation percentage of investments to total plan assets presented on a weighted-average basis, as of the measurement date, of the latest statement of financial position.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse363Postemployment benefit plans (Details 3) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruetrue
