Operations and summary of significant accounting policies (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) dealers countries distributors	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Operations and summary of significant accounting policies
Number of countries served by dealers	193
Percentage of value of inventories on the LIFO basis to total inventories	60.00%
Maximum amortizable period of purchased intangibles (in years)	14 years	14 years
Incremental value of inventory if FIFO method had been in use | $	$ 2,599	$ 2,132
Consolidated depreciation expense | $	2,050	2,122	$ 2,253
Depreciation on equipment leased to others | $	$ 755	$ 758	$ 813
Inside United States
Operations and summary of significant accounting policies
Number of dealers | dealers	44
Countries Outside United States
Operations and summary of significant accounting policies
Number of dealers | dealers	116
Perkins
Operations and summary of significant accounting policies
Number of countries where distributors are located	171
Number of distributors | distributors	90
FG Wilson
Operations and summary of significant accounting policies
Number of countries where distributors are located	109
Number of distributors | distributors	110
MaK
Operations and summary of significant accounting policies
Number of countries where distributors are located	130
Number of distributors | distributors	20
Maximum
Operations and summary of significant accounting policies
Maximum amortizable period of purchased intangibles (in years)	20 years