| **Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)**      | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
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| **Accounting Policies [Abstract]**                           |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]             | The ranges of estimated useful lives are as follows:  YearsBuildings20 - 50Leasehold improvements3 - 20Machinery and equipment3 - 12Furniture, fixtures, and equipment3 - 15Equipment leased to others1 - 10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| Schedule intangibles amortization periods [Table Text Block] | The ranges for the amortization periods are generally as follows:  YearsCustomer base and relationships3 - 15Trademarks20Supply agreements3Other3 - 18                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| Product Warranty Liability                                   | Accrued product warranty and deferred warranty revenue activity is as follows:  Year Ended October 31,(in millions)2012 2011 2010Balance at November 1$598 $506 $492Costs accrued and revenues deferred(A)571 407 269Acquisitions— 5 —Adjustments to pre-existing warranties(B)404 79 51Payments and revenues recognized(455) (399) (306)Balance at October 311,118 598 506Less: Current portion551 263 252Noncurrent accrued product warranty and deferred warranty revenue$567 $335 $254_________________________(A)The warranty estimation for engines sold in 2012 includes a factor for improvements to the design and manufacturing process that was based on historical experience. In the fourth quarter of 2012 we identified a deviation from historic experience and we recorded an adjustment for a change in estimate to increase in the costs accrued for warranty of $28 million, or $0.41 per diluted share for products sold in the first three quarters of 2012.(B)In the first quarter of 2012, we recorded significant adjustments for changes in estimates of $123 million, or $1.76 per diluted share. In the second quarter of 2012, we recorded significant adjustments for changes in estimates of $104 million, or $1.51 per diluted share. In the fourth quarter of 2012, we recorded significant adjustments for changes in estimates of $149 million, or $2.16 per diluted share. In the third quarter of 2011, we recorded significant adjustments for changes in estimates of $30 million, or $0.39 per diluted share. In the second quarter of 2011, we recorded significant adjustments for changes in estimates of $27 million, or $0.34 per diluted share. In the third quarter of 2010, we recorded significant adjustments for changes in estimates of $25 million, or $0.34 diluted share.The amount of deferred revenue related to extended warranty programs was $364 million, $257 million, and $167 million at October 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Revenue recognized under our extended warranty programs was $63 million, $53 million, and $46 million in the years ended October 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Included in 2012 warranty expense, we recognized net charges of $66 million for losses on extended warranty contracts for our 2010 emissions standard MaxxForce Big-Bore engines. The net charges included $19 million related to contracts sold in the current year and $47 million recognized as adjustments to pre-existing warranties. Future warranty experience, pricing of extended warranty contracts, and external market factors, may cause us to recognize additional charges as losses on extended service contracts in future periods. |

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Schedule intangibles amortization periods [Table Text Block]
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the useful life and salvage value of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.
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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph b -Article 5Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the changes in the guarantor's aggregate product warranty liability, including the beginning balance of the aggregate product warranty liability, the aggregate reductions in that liability for payments made (in cash or in kind) under the warranty, the aggregate changes in the liability for accruals related to product warranties issued during the reporting period, the aggregate changes in the liability for accruals related to preexisting warranties (including adjustments related to changes in estimates), and the ending balance of the aggregate product warranty liability.
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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249
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