Reconciliations of capital expenditures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	$ 631	$ 601	$ 1,856	$ 2,129
Reportable Segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	617	566	1,667	1,928
All Other operating segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	34	63	69	101
Cost Centers
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	22	30	71	70
Timing
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	(21)	(5)	108	152
Other
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	(21)	(53)	(59)	(122)
Consolidating Adjustments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	(36)	(33)	(39)	(73)
Consolidating Adjustments | Reportable Segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0	0
Consolidating Adjustments | All Other operating segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0	0
Consolidating Adjustments | Cost Centers
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0	0
Consolidating Adjustments | Timing
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0	0
Consolidating Adjustments | Other
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	(36)	(33)	(39)	(73)
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Reportable Segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	229	268	574	736
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Operating Segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	238	291	730	845
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Operating Segments | Reportable Segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	229	268	574	736
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Operating Segments | All Other operating segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	34	63	69	101
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Operating Segments | Cost Centers
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	22	30	71	70
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Operating Segments | Timing
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	(21)	(5)	108	152
Machinery, Energy & Transportation | Operating Segments | Other
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	(26)	(65)	(92)	(214)
Financial Products | Operating Segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	429	343	1,165	1,357
Financial Products | Operating Segments | Reportable Segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	388	298	1,093	1,192
Financial Products | Operating Segments | All Other operating segments
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0	0
Financial Products | Operating Segments | Cost Centers
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0	0
Financial Products | Operating Segments | Timing
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	0	0	0	0
Financial Products | Operating Segments | Other
Reconciliation of Capital expenditures
Total capital expenditures	$ 41	$ 45	$ 72	$ 165