SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING DATA (Statement of Cash Flows) (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 3,071.6	$ 2,807.8	$ 1,874.3
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Provision (credit) for doubtful receivables	5.1	13.5	106.4
Provision for depreciation and amortization	1,004.2	914.9	914.8
Goodwill impairment charges	33.4		27.2
Undistributed earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries and affiliates	1.8	11.1	(2.2)
Provision (credit) for deferred income taxes	(91.8)	(168.0)	175.0
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	(1,901.6)	(808.9)	(1,095.0)
Insurance receivables	(338.5)	(300.1)
Inventories	(1,510.2)	(1,730.5)	(1,052.7)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,061.8	1,287.0	1,057.7
Accrued income taxes payable/receivable	(72.3)	1.2	22.1
Retirement benefits	63.3	495.3	(154.1)
Other	(233.6)	(266.0)	337.5
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,167.7	2,326.3	2,282.2
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities	240.3	32.4	38.4
Proceeds from sales of equipment on operating leases	799.5	683.4	621.9
Government grants related to property and equipment			92.3
Proceeds from sales of businesses, net of cash sold	30.2	911.1	34.9
Purchases of marketable securities	(922.2)	(586.9)	(63.4)
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,319.2)	(1,056.6)	(761.7)
Cost of equipment on operating leases acquired	(801.8)	(624.2)	(551.1)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		(60.8)	(45.5)
Other	43.2	(113.7)	(28.1)
Net cash used for investing activities	(4,004.1)	(2,620.7)	(2,109.1)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Increase (decrease) in total short-term borrowings	894.9	(226.1)	756.0
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	10,642.0	5,655.0	2,621.1
Payments of long-term borrowings	(5,396.0)	(3,220.8)	(3,675.7)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	61.0	170.0	129.1
Repurchases of common stock	(1,587.7)	(1,667.0)	(358.8)
Dividends paid	(697.9)	(593.1)	(483.5)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	30.1	70.1	43.5
Other	(66.2)	(48.5)	(41.4)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	3,880.2	139.6	(1,009.7)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(38.8)	11.4	(24.5)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	1,005.0	(143.4)	(861.1)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	3,647.2	3,790.6	4,651.7
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	4,652.2	3,647.2	3,790.6
Equipment Operations
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	3,071.6	2,807.8	1,874.4
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Provision (credit) for doubtful receivables	6.0	4.5	6.3
Provision for depreciation and amortization	643.1	587.0	548.7
Goodwill impairment charges	33.4		27.2
Undistributed earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries and affiliates	(413.7)	(118.8)	(156.7)
Provision (credit) for deferred income taxes	(115.7)	(278.3)	74.8
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	(255.0)	(109.5)	(333.0)
Inventories	(947.6)	(1,281.8)	(647.7)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	887.0	1,027.0	1,062.9
Accrued income taxes payable/receivable	(102.7)	45.3	6.5
Retirement benefits	71.2	483.2	(140.1)
Other	70.5	(168.0)	221.6
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,948.1	2,998.4	2,544.9
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities	200.1	0.3
Proceeds from sales of businesses, net of cash sold	30.2	911.1	34.9
Purchases of marketable securities	(802.2)	(503.1)
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,316.2)	(1,054.3)	(735.5)
Increase in investment in Financial Services	(264.1)	(69.0)	(43.8)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		(60.8)	(37.2)
Other	(95.6)	(79.5)	(32.9)
Net cash used for investing activities	(2,247.8)	(855.3)	(814.5)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Increase (decrease) in total short-term borrowings	(36.4)	230.8	(127.9)
Change in intercompany receivables/payables	45.5	(552.6)	(1,229.9)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	2,521.5	69.0	305.0
Payments of long-term borrowings	(220.1)	(11.5)	(311.5)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	61.0	170.0	129.1
Repurchases of common stock	(1,587.7)	(1,667.0)	(358.8)
Dividends paid	(697.9)	(593.1)	(483.5)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	30.1	70.1	43.5
Other	(32.7)	(17.3)	(20.7)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	83.3	(2,301.6)	(2,054.7)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(63.2)	(2.3)	(17.2)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	720.4	(160.8)	(341.5)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	3,187.5	3,348.3	3,689.8
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	3,907.9	3,187.5	3,348.3
Financial Services
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	460.3	471.0	372.4
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Provision (credit) for doubtful receivables	(0.9)	9.0	100.1
Provision for depreciation and amortization	439.2	401.5	424.6
Undistributed earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries and affiliates	(1.3)	(1.0)	(0.9)
Provision (credit) for deferred income taxes	23.9	110.2	100.2
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Insurance receivables	(338.5)	(300.1)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	382.1	351.3	5.7
Accrued income taxes payable/receivable	30.4	(44.1)	15.6
Retirement benefits	(7.9)	12.1	(14.0)
Other	(109.9)	55.1	270.5
Net cash provided by operating activities	877.4	1,065.0	1,274.2
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Collections of receivables (excluding trade and wholesale)	14,320.7	13,333.1	12,287.7
Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities	40.2	32.2	38.4
Proceeds from sales of equipment on operating leases	799.5	683.4	621.9
Government grants related to property and equipment			92.3
Cost of receivables acquired (excluding trade and wholesale)	(16,730.2)	(15,365.9)	(13,681.6)
Purchases of marketable securities	(120.0)	(83.8)	(63.4)
Purchases of property and equipment	(3.1)	(2.4)	(26.2)
Cost of equipment on operating leases acquired	(1,562.0)	(1,230.5)	(1,098.4)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			(8.3)
Increase in trade and wholesale receivables	(1,518.5)	(561.8)	(838.8)
Other	138.8	(35.7)	18.3
Net cash used for investing activities	(4,634.6)	(3,231.4)	(2,658.1)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Increase (decrease) in total short-term borrowings	931.3	(456.9)	883.9
Change in intercompany receivables/payables	(45.5)	552.6	1,229.9
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	8,120.5	5,586.0	2,316.0
Payments of long-term borrowings	(5,175.9)	(3,209.3)	(3,364.2)
Capital investment from Equipment Operations	264.1	69.0	43.8
Dividends paid	(43.5)	(340.1)	(217.2)
Other	(33.6)	(31.2)	(20.6)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	4,017.4	2,170.1	871.6
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	24.4	13.7	(7.3)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	284.6	17.4	(519.6)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	459.7	442.3	961.9
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	$ 744.3	$ 459.7	$ 442.3