SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING DATA (Statement of Cash Flows) (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 2,382.7	$ 2,135.8
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Provision (credit) for doubtful receivables	6.1	17.8
Provision for depreciation and amortization	742.7	677.9
Undistributed earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries and affiliates	(7.3)	1.1
Provision (credit) for deferred income taxes	(205.3)	(324.8)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(2,040.9)	(978.8)
Inventories	(2,032.2)	(1,774.6)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	397.6	571.9
Accrued income taxes payable/receivable	100.4	266.3
Retirement benefits	(70.1)	351.1
Other	(465.2)	(358.4)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	(1,135.4)	636.1
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities	125.8	24.5
Proceeds from sales of equipment on operating leases	583.1	522.8
Proceeds from sales of businesses, net of cash sold	30.4	894.4
Purchases of marketable securities	(882.7)	(256.1)
Purchases of property and equipment	(808.4)	(681.5)
Cost of equipment on operating leases acquired	(512.3)	(397.4)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		(60.8)
Other	5.7	(143.5)
Net cash used for investing activities	(2,415.3)	(1,066.9)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Increase (decrease) in total short-term borrowings	1,235.4	844.3
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	8,256.2	3,515.1
Payments of long-term borrowings	(4,396.8)	(2,795.2)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	37.1	165.9
Repurchases of common stock	(1,225.3)	(1,093.2)
Dividends paid	(516.3)	(422.2)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	16.8	66.8
Other	(53.0)	(36.3)
Net cash provided by financing activities	3,354.1	245.2
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(53.1)	13.3
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(249.7)	(172.3)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	3,647.2	3,790.6
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	3,397.5	3,618.3
Equipment Operations
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	2,382.7	2,135.8
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Provision (credit) for doubtful receivables	7.1	2.5
Provision for depreciation and amortization	480.1	439.7
Undistributed earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries and affiliates	(301.6)	(82.8)
Provision (credit) for deferred income taxes	(213.2)	(372.0)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(137.6)	(24.9)
Inventories	(1,691.7)	(1,483.6)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	588.6	686.7
Accrued income taxes payable/receivable	72.7	274.7
Retirement benefits	(80.6)	340.9
Other	(18.2)	(182.4)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	1,088.3	1,734.6
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities	100.0
Proceeds from sales of businesses, net of cash sold	30.4	894.4
Purchases of marketable securities	(802.2)	(200.5)
Purchases of property and equipment	(806.1)	(680.2)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		(60.8)
Other	(145.3)	(135.3)
Net cash used for investing activities	(1,623.2)	(182.4)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Increase (decrease) in total short-term borrowings	386.8	312.7
Change in intercompany receivables/payables	(698.3)	(845.3)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	2,374.5	90.4
Payments of long-term borrowings		(11.5)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	37.1	165.9
Repurchases of common stock	(1,225.3)	(1,093.2)
Dividends paid	(516.3)	(422.2)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	16.8	66.8
Other	(28.8)	(12.9)
Net cash provided by financing activities	346.5	(1,749.3)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(84.4)	16.6
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(272.8)	(180.5)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	3,187.5	3,348.3
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	2,914.7	3,167.8
Financial Services
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	338.6	348.9
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Provision (credit) for doubtful receivables	(1.0)	15.3
Provision for depreciation and amortization	320.8	293.0
Undistributed earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries and affiliates	(0.8)	(0.8)
Provision (credit) for deferred income taxes	7.9	47.2
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	164.6	134.7
Accrued income taxes payable/receivable	27.7	(8.4)
Retirement benefits	10.5	10.2
Other	(329.5)	(77.9)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	538.8	762.2
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Collections of receivables (excluding trade and wholesale)	10,770.1	10,169.3
Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities	25.8	24.5
Proceeds from sales of equipment on operating leases	583.1	522.8
Cost of receivables acquired (excluding trade and wholesale)	(11,868.2)	(11,187.4)
Purchases of marketable securities	(80.5)	(55.5)
Purchases of property and equipment	(2.3)	(1.3)
Cost of equipment on operating leases acquired	(972.4)	(790.6)
Increase in trade and wholesale receivables	(2,117.7)	(1,153.5)
Other	93.9	(73.4)
Net cash used for investing activities	(3,568.2)	(2,545.1)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Increase (decrease) in total short-term borrowings	848.6	531.7
Change in intercompany receivables/payables	698.3	845.3
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	5,881.7	3,424.7
Payments of long-term borrowings	(4,396.8)	(2,783.6)
Dividends paid	(43.5)	(264.1)
Other	32.9	40.4
Net cash provided by financing activities	3,021.2	1,794.4
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	31.2	(3.3)
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	23.0	8.2
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	459.7	442.3
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$ 482.7	$ 450.5