Segment information (Details 7) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	$ 2,928	$ 3,261	$ 3,379
Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	2,586	2,913	3,027
All Other operating segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	182	169	192
Cost Centers
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	72	195	181
Timing
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	153	37	21
Other
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	(65)	(53)	(42)
Consolidating Adjustments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	(49)	(28)	(79)
Consolidating Adjustments | Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0
Consolidating Adjustments | All Other operating segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0
Consolidating Adjustments | Cost Centers
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0
Consolidating Adjustments | Timing
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0
Consolidating Adjustments | Other
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	(49)	(28)	(79)
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	948	1,448	1,393
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Business
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	1,206	1,630	1,641
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Business | Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	948	1,448	1,393
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Business | All Other operating segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	182	169	192
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Business | Cost Centers
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	72	195	181
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Business | Timing
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	153	37	21
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Business | Other
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	(149)	(219)	(146)
Financial Products | Business
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	1,771	1,659	1,817
Financial Products | Business | Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	1,638	1,465	1,634
Financial Products | Business | All Other operating segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0
Financial Products | Business | Cost Centers
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0
Financial Products | Business | Timing
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0
Financial Products | Business | Other
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	$ 133	$ 194	$ 183