| **Financing Activities**   | 9 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               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| **Receivables [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       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| Financing Activities       | Financing ActivitiesA. Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and Allowance for Credit LossesWe apply a systematic methodology to determine the allowance for credit losses for finance receivables.  Based upon our analysis of credit losses and risk factors, our portfolio segments are as follows:  •Customer - Finance receivables with retail customers.•Dealer - Finance receivables with Caterpillar dealers.•Caterpillar Purchased Receivables - Trade receivables purchased from Caterpillar entities.We further evaluate our portfolio segments by the class of finance receivables, which is defined as a level of information (below a portfolio segment) in which the finance receivables have the same initial measurement attribute and a similar method for assessing and monitoring credit risk.  Typically, our finance receivables within a geographic area have similar credit risk profiles and methods for assessing and monitoring credit risk.  Our classes, which align with management reporting for credit losses, are as follows:•North America - Finance receivables originated in the United States or Canada.•Europe - Finance receivables originated in Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Commonwealth of Independent States.•Asia/Pacific - Finance receivables originated in Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.•Mining - Finance receivables related to large mining customers worldwide.•Latin America - Finance receivables originated in Central and South American countries and Mexico.•Caterpillar Power Finance - Finance receivables related to marine vessels with Caterpillar engines worldwide and Caterpillar electrical power generation, gas compression and co-generation systems and non-Caterpillar equipment that is powered by these systems worldwide.Impaired loans and finance leasesFor all classes, a loan or finance lease is considered impaired, based on current information and events, if it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan or finance lease.  Loans and finance leases reviewed for impairment include loans and finance leases that are past due, non-performing or in bankruptcy. Recognition of income is suspended and the loan or finance lease is placed on non-accrual status when management determines that collection of future income is not probable (generally after 120 days past due).  Accrual is resumed, and previously suspended income is recognized, when the loan or finance lease becomes contractually current and/or collection doubts are removed.  Cash receipts on impaired loans or finance leases are recorded against the receivable and then to any unrecognized income.There were no impaired loans or finance leases as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, for the Dealer and Caterpillar Purchased Receivables portfolio segments.  The average recorded investment for impaired loans and finance leases for the Dealer and Caterpillar Purchased Receivables portfolio segments was zero for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.Individually impaired loans and finance leases for the customer portfolio segment were as follows:(Millions of dollars)            As of September 30, 2012 As of December 31, 2011Impaired Loans and Finance Leases WithNo Allowance RecordedRecordedInvestment UnpaidPrincipalBalance RelatedAllowance RecordedInvestment(1) UnpaidPrincipalBalance(1) RelatedAllowanceCustomer           North America$42 $41 $— $83 $80 $—Europe44 44 — 47 46 —Asia/Pacific4 4 — 4 4 —Mining9 9 — 8 8 —Latin America7 7 — 9 9 —Caterpillar Power Finance269 268 — 175 170 —Total$375 $373 $— $326 $317 $—Impaired Loans and Finance Leases WithAn Allowance Recorded           Customer           North America$38 $34 $9 $69 $64 $15Europe50 48 17 36 33 12Asia/Pacific34 34 7 13 13 3Mining68 67 7 13 13 4Latin America53 53 17 25 25 6Caterpillar Power Finance112 110 18 93 92 16Total$355 $346 $75 $249 $240 $56Total Impaired Loans and Finance Leases           Customer           North America$80 $75 $9 $152 $144 $15Europe94 92 17 83 79 12Asia/Pacific38 38 7 17 17 3Mining77 76 7 21 21 4Latin America60 60 17 34 34 6Caterpillar Power Finance381 378 18 268 262 16Total$730 $719 $75 $575 $557 $56            (1)Amounts previously disclosed have been revised due to immaterial errors. (Millions of dollars)        Three Months EndedSeptember 30, 2012 Three Months EndedSeptember 30, 2011Impaired Loans and Finance Leases With No AllowanceRecordedAverageRecordedInvestment InterestIncomeRecognized AverageRecordedInvestment(1) InterestIncomeRecognizedCustomer       North America$42 $1 $91 $1Europe45 — 10 —Asia/Pacific3 — 5 1Mining9 — 8 —Latin America6 — 11 —Caterpillar Power Finance220 1 240 —Total$325 $2 $365 $2        Impaired Loans and Finance Leases With An AllowanceRecorded       Customer       North America$51 $— $126 $—Europe44 1 44 1Asia/Pacific29 — 9 —Mining68 1 10 —Latin America58 1 40 —Caterpillar Power Finance110 — 126 —Total$360 $3 $355 $1        Total Impaired Loans and Finance Leases       Customer       North America$93 $1 $217 $1Europe89 1 54 1Asia/Pacific32 — 14 1Mining77 1 18 —Latin America64 1 51 —Caterpillar Power Finance330 1 366 —Total$685 $5 $720 $3        (1)Amounts previously disclosed have been revised due to immaterial errors.(Millions of dollars)        Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2012 Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2011Impaired Loans and Finance Leases With No AllowanceRecordedAverageRecordedInvestment InterestIncomeRecognized AverageRecordedInvestment(1) InterestIncomeRecognizedCustomer       North America$56 $2 $93 $3Europe45 — 8 —Asia/Pacific3 — 5 1Mining8 — 8 —Latin America6 — 8 —Caterpillar Power Finance204 3 234 1Total$322 $5 $356 $5        Impaired Loans and Finance Leases With An AllowanceRecorded       Customer       North America$63 $1 $160 $4Europe42 1 53 2Asia/Pacific24 1 18 1Mining41 2 4 —Latin America42 2 44 2Caterpillar Power Finance94 — 79 —Total$306 $7 $358 $9        Total Impaired Loans and Finance Leases       Customer       North America$119 $3 $253 $7Europe87 1 61 2Asia/Pacific27 1 23 2Mining49 2 12 —Latin America48 2 52 2Caterpillar Power Finance298 3 313 1Total$628 $12 $714 $14        (1)Amounts previously disclosed have been revised due to immaterial errors. Non-accrual and past due loans and finance leasesFor all classes, we consider a loan or finance lease past due if any portion of a contractual payment is due and unpaid for more than 30 days.  Recognition of income is suspended and the loan or finance lease is placed on non-accrual status when management determines that collection of future income is not probable (generally after 120 days past due).  Accrual is resumed, and previously suspended income is recognized, when the loan or finance lease becomes contractually current and/or collection doubts are removed. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no loans or finance leases on non-accrual status for the Dealer or Caterpillar Purchased Receivables portfolio segments.The investment in customer loans and finance leases on non-accrual status was as follows: (Millions of dollars)    September 30, 2012 December 31, 2011Customer   North America$77 $112Europe44 58Asia/Pacific40 24Mining12 12Latin America150 108Caterpillar Power Finance286 158Total$609 $472     Aging related to loans and finance leases was as follows: (Millions of dollars)              September 30, 2012 31-60DaysPast Due 61-90DaysPast Due 91+DaysPast Due TotalPast Due Current TotalFinance Receivables 91+ Still AccruingCustomer             North America$35 $9 $76 $120 $5,716 $5,836 $—Europe28 12 44 84 2,371 2,455 5Asia/Pacific76 22 51 149 3,366 3,515 17Mining2 — 12 14 1,825 1,839 —Latin America57 25 136 218 2,478 2,696 —Caterpillar Power Finance17 47 154 218 2,945 3,163 12Dealer           North America— — — — 2,759 2,759 —Europe— — — — 487 487 —Asia/Pacific— — — — 923 923 —Mining— — — — 1 1 —Latin America— — — — 892 892 —Caterpillar Power Finance— — — — — — —Caterpillar Purchased Receivables           North America20 5 1 26 1,597 1,623 1Europe1 — — 1 386 387 —Asia/Pacific— — — — 516 516 —Mining— — — — — — —Latin America— — — — 394 394 —Caterpillar Power Finance5 1 — 6 24 30 —Total$241 $121 $474 $836 $26,680 $27,516 $35               (Millions of dollars)              December 31, 2011 31-60DaysPast Due 61-90DaysPast Due 91+DaysPast Due TotalPast Due Current TotalFinanceReceivables 91+ Still AccruingCustomer             North America$75 $39 $111 $225 $5,448 $5,673 $9Europe27 11 57 95 2,129 2,224 10Asia/Pacific48 23 38 109 3,102 3,211 14Mining— — 12 12 1,473 1,485 —Latin America32 15 99 146 2,339 2,485 —Caterpillar Power Finance14 16 125 155 2,765 2,920 25Dealer           North America— — 2 2 2,412 2,414 2Europe— — — — 334 334 —Asia/Pacific— — — — 516 516 —Mining— — — — — — —Latin America— — — — 709 709 —Caterpillar Power Finance— — — — — — —Caterpillar Purchased Receivables           North America25 4 6 35 1,801 1,836 6Europe3 — — 3 399 402 —Asia/Pacific— — — — 465 465 —Mining— — — — — — —Latin America— — — — 422 422 —Caterpillar Power Finance— — — — 29 29 —Total$224 $108 $450 $782 $24,343 $25,125 $66               Allowance for credit losses In estimating the Allowance for credit losses, we review loans and finance leases that are past due, non-performing or in bankruptcy.  The Allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was as follows:(Millions of dollars)        September 30, 2012Allowance for Credit Losses:Customer Dealer CaterpillarPurchased Receivables TotalBalance at beginning of year$360 $6 $3 $369Receivables written off(92) — — (92)Recoveries on receivables previously written off36 — — 36Provision for credit losses90 1 — 91Adjustment due to sale of receivables(1) — — (1)Foreign currency translation adjustment1 — — 1Balance at end of period$394 $7 $3 $404        Individually evaluated for impairment$75 $— $— $75Collectively evaluated for impairment319 7 3 329Ending Balance$394 $7 $3 $404        Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables:       Individually evaluated for impairment$730 $— $— $730Collectively evaluated for impairment18,774 5,062 2,950 26,786Ending Balance$19,504 $5,062 $2,950 $27,516         (Millions of dollars)        December 31, 2011Allowance for Credit Losses:Customer Dealer CaterpillarPurchased Receivables TotalBalance at beginning of year$357 $5 $1 $363Receivables written off(210) — — (210)Recoveries on receivables previously written off52 — — 52Provision for credit losses167 1 2 170Adjustment due to sale of receivables(3) — — (3)Foreign currency translation adjustment(3) — — (3)Balance at end of year$360 $6 $3 $369        Individually evaluated for impairment$56 $— $— $56Collectively evaluated for impairment304 6 3 313Ending Balance$360 $6 $3 $369        Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables(1):       Individually evaluated for impairment$575 $— $— $575Collectively evaluated for impairment17,423 3,973 3,154 24,550Ending Balance$17,998 $3,973 $3,154 $25,125        (1)Amounts previously disclosed for the customer segment have been revised due to immaterial errors.Credit quality of finance receivablesThe credit quality of finance receivables is reviewed on a monthly basis.  Credit quality indicators include performing and non-performing.  Non-performing is defined as finance receivables currently over 120 days past due and/or on non-accrual status or in bankruptcy.  Finance receivables not meeting the criteria listed above are considered performing.  Non-performing receivables have the highest probability for credit loss.  The allowance for credit losses attributable to non-performing receivables is based on the most probable source of repayment, which is normally the liquidation of collateral.  In determining collateral value, we estimate the current fair market value of the collateral.  In addition, we may consider credit enhancements such as additional collateral and contractual third-party guarantees in determining the allowance for credit losses attributable to non-performing receivables. The recorded investment in performing and non-performing finance receivables was as follows:(Millions of dollars)        September 30, 2012 Customer Dealer CaterpillarPurchased Receivables TotalPerforming       North America$5,759 $2,759 $1,623 $10,141Europe2,411 487 387 3,285Asia/Pacific3,475 923 516 4,914Mining1,827 1 — 1,828Latin America2,546 892 394 3,832Caterpillar Power Finance2,877 — 30 2,907Total Performing$18,895 $5,062 $2,950 $26,907Non-Performing       North America$77 $— $— $77Europe44 — — 44Asia/Pacific40 — — 40Mining12 — — 12Latin America150 — — 150Caterpillar Power Finance286 — — 286Total Non-Performing$609 $— $— $609Total Performing and Non-Performing       North America$5,836 $2,759 $1,623 $10,218Europe2,455 487 387 3,329Asia/Pacific3,515 923 516 4,954Mining1,839 1 — 1,840Latin America2,696 892 394 3,982Caterpillar Power Finance3,163 — 30 3,193Total$19,504 $5,062 $2,950 $27,516         (Millions of dollars)        December 31, 2011 Customer Dealer CaterpillarPurchased Receivables TotalPerforming       North America$5,561 $2,414 $1,836 $9,811Europe2,166 334 402 2,902Asia/Pacific3,187 516 465 4,168Mining1,473 — — 1,473Latin America2,377 709 422 3,508Caterpillar Power Finance2,762 — 29 2,791Total Performing$17,526 $3,973 $3,154 $24,653Non-Performing       North America$112 $— $— $112Europe58 — — 58Asia/Pacific24 — — 24Mining12 — — 12Latin America108 — — 108Caterpillar Power Finance158 — — 158Total Non-Performing$472 $— $— $472Total Performing and Non-Performing       North America$5,673 $2,414 $1,836 $9,923Europe2,224 334 402 2,960Asia/Pacific3,211 516 465 4,192Mining1,485 — — 1,485Latin America2,485 709 422 3,616Caterpillar Power Finance2,920 — 29 2,949Total$17,998 $3,973 $3,154 $25,125        Troubled Debt RestructuringsA restructuring of a loan or finance lease receivable constitutes a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) when the lender grants a concession it would not otherwise consider to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties. Concessions granted may include extended contract maturities, inclusion of interest only periods, below market interest rates, and extended skip payment periods.  TDRs are reviewed along with other receivables as part of management’s ongoing evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.  The allowance for credit losses attributable to TDRs is based on the most probable source of repayment, which is normally the liquidation of collateral.  In determining collateral value, we estimate the current fair market value of the collateral.  In addition, we may consider credit enhancements such as additional collateral and contractual third-party guarantees in determining the allowance for credit losses attributable to TDRs.There were no loans or finance lease receivables modified as TDRs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 for the Dealer or Caterpillar Purchased Receivables portfolio segments.Loan and finance lease receivables in the customer portfolio segment modified as TDRs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, were as follows:(Dollars in millions)            Three Months EndedSeptember 30, 2012 Three Months EndedSeptember 30, 2011 Number ofContracts Pre-TDROutstandingRecorded Investment Post-TDROutstandingRecorded Investment Number ofContracts Pre-TDROutstandingRecorded Investment Post-TDROutstandingRecorded InvestmentCustomer           North America17 $4 $4 14 $2 $2Europe14 1 1 — — —Asia/Pacific12 3 3 — — —Mining— — — — — —Latin America— — — — — —  Caterpillar Power Finance (1) (2)15 151 151 — — —Total(3)58 $159 $159 14 $2 $2             Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2012 Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2011 Number ofContracts Pre-TDROutstandingRecorded Investment Post-TDROutstandingRecorded Investment Number ofContracts Pre-TDROutstandingRecorded Investment Post-TDROutstandingRecorded InvestmentCustomer           North America58 $8 $8 53 $11 $11Europe21 8 8 6 7 7Asia/Pacific12 3 3 — — —Mining— — — — — —Latin America— — — 12 10 10  Caterpillar Power Finance (1) (2)20 183 183 31 113 113Total(3)111 $202 $202 102 $141 $141            (1) Four customers comprise $148 million of the $151 million pre-TDR and post-TDR outstanding recorded investment for the three months ended September 30, 2012.  Seven customers comprise $180 million of the $183 million pre-TDR and post-TDR outstanding recorded investment for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  Three customers comprise $104 million of the $113 million pre-TDR and post-TDR outstanding recorded investment for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.(2) During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, $4 million and $22 million, respectively, of additional funds were subsequently loaned to a borrower whose terms had been modified in a TDR.  The $4 million and $22 million of additional funds are not reflected in the tables above as no incremental modifications have been made with the borrower during the periods presented.  At September 30, 2012, remaining commitments to lend additional funds to a borrower whose terms have been modified in a TDR were $3 million.(3) Modifications include extended contract maturities, inclusion of interest only periods, below market interest rates, and extended skip payment periods. TDRs in the customer portfolio segment with a payment default during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, which had been modified within twelve months prior to the default date, were as follows:(Dollars in millions)        Three Months EndedSeptember 30, 2012 Three Months EndedSeptember 30, 2011 Number ofContracts Post-TDRRecordedInvestment Number ofContracts Post-TDRRecordedInvestmentCustomer       North America8 $1 3 $16Europe— — — —Asia/Pacific2 1 — —Mining— — — —Latin America— — 7 4Caterpillar Power Finance— — 5 65Total10 $2 15 $85         Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2012 Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2011 Number ofContracts Post-TDRRecordedInvestment Number ofContracts Post-TDRRecordedInvestmentCustomer       North America39 $3 44 $25Europe— — 1 1Asia/Pacific2 1 — —Mining— — — —Latin America— — 7 4Caterpillar Power Finance16 21 14 70Total57 $25 66 $100        B.Sales and Servicing of Finance Receivables Individual loans and leases are sold to third parties with limited or no recourse to us to mitigate the concentration of credit risk with certain customers.  In accordance with accounting for transfers and servicing of financial assets, the transfers to the third parties are accounted for as sales. We typically maintain servicing responsibilities for these third-party assets, which totaled $269 million and $235 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  Because we do not receive a servicing fee for these assets, a servicing liability is recorded.  As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, these liabilities were not significant.In addition, we have periodically securitized certain finance receivables relating to our retail installment sale contracts and finance leases as part of our asset-backed securitization program.  On April 25, 2011, we exercised a cleanup call on our only outstanding asset-backed securitization transaction.  As a result, we had no assets or liabilities related to our securitization program as of September 30, 2012 or December 31, 2011.  These transactions provide a source of liquidity and allow for better management of our balance sheet capacity.  None of the receivables that are directly or indirectly sold or transferred to third parties in any of the foregoing transactions are available to pay our creditors.C.Purchases of trade receivables from Caterpillar entities We purchase trade receivables from Caterpillar entities at a discount.  The discount is an estimate of the amount of financing revenue that would be earned at a market rate on these trade receivables over their expected life.  The discount is amortized into revenue on an effective yield basis over the life of the receivables and recognized as Wholesale finance revenue.  Amortized discounts for the trade receivables were $61 million and $55 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $181 million and $157 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  In the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, collection of the discount is included in investing activities as the receivables are collected. |

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| - Definition
The entire disclosure for financing receivables. Examples of financing receivables include, but are not limited to, loans, trade accounts receivables, notes receivable, credit cards, and receivables relating to a lessor's right(s) to payment(s) from a lease other than an operating lease that is recognized as assets.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2196772Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 14 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7880640&loc=SL6953791-111525
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