OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ITEMS (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Retirement Benefits Adjustment, After Tax
Retirement benefits adjustment	$ (338.4)	$ 158.0	$ (2,536.6)
Cumulative translation adjustment	17.8	35.7	327.4
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives, After Tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	20.9	14.9	(4.0)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, After Tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	1.3	5.0	7.8
Deere & Company
Retirement Benefits Adjustment, Before Tax
Net actuarial losses and prior service cost	(989)	(213)	(4,198)
Reclassification of actuarial losses and prior service cost to net income	450	474	105
Retirement benefits adjustment	(539)	261	(4,093)
Cumulative translation adjustment	14	49	326
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives, Before Tax
Hedging gain (loss)	31	(56)	(90)
Reclassification of realized (gain) loss to net income	1	79	84
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	32	23	(6)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Before Tax
Holding gain (loss)			(793)
Reclassification of realized loss to net income			805
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	2	8	12
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax amount	(491)	341	(3,761)
Retirement Benefits Adjustment, Tax (Expense) Credit
Net actuarial losses and prior service cost	368	77	1,587
Reclassification of actuarial losses and prior service cost	(167)	(180)	(31)
Retirement benefits adjustment	201	(103)	1,556
Cumulative translation adjustment	4	(13)	1
Unrealized Loss on Derivatives, Tax (Expense) Credit
Hedging gain (loss)	(11)	19	31
Reclassification of realized (gain) loss to net income		(27)	(29)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(11)	(8)	2
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Tax (Expense) Credit
Holding gain (loss)			278
Reclassification of realized loss to net income			(282)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(1)	(3)	(4)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), tax (expense) credit	193	(127)	1,555
Retirement Benefits Adjustment, After Tax
Net actuarial losses and prior service cost	(621)	(136)	(2,611)
Reclassification of actuarial losses and prior service cost	283	294	74
Retirement benefits adjustment	(338.0)	158.0	(2,537.0)
Cumulative translation adjustment	18.0	36.0	327.0
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives, After Tax
Hedging gain (loss)	20	(37)	(59)
Reclassification of realized (gain) loss to net income	1	52	55
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	21.0	15.0	(4.0)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, After Tax
Holding gain (loss)			(515)
Reclassification of realized loss to net income			523
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	1.0	5.0	8.0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), after tax amount	$ (298)	$ 214	$ (2,206)