SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Consolidated Receivable Allowances
Allowance for doubtful receivables:
Balance at beginning of period	$ 269,004	$ 296,479	$ 316,487
Charged to costs and expenses	6,104	13,589	106,416
Charged to other accounts	34,524	42,826	57,257
Deductions	66,766	83,890	183,681
Balance at end of period	242,866	269,004	296,479
Trade Receivable Allowances | Equipment Operations
Allowance for doubtful receivables:
Balance at beginning of period	67,571	67,159	72,729
Charged to costs and expenses	6,041	4,521	6,299
Charged to other accounts - bad debt recoveries	1,156	451	22,797
Charged to other accounts - other (primarily translation)			807
Deductions - Other (primarily translation)	6,757	141
Deductions - receivable write-offs	5,756	4,419	35,473
Balance at end of period	62,255	67,571	67,159
Trade Receivable Allowances | Financial Services
Allowance for doubtful receivables:
Balance at beginning of period	4,356	4,510	4,848
Charged to costs and expenses	642	78	(126)
Charged to other accounts - bad debt recoveries	124	89	461
Charged to other accounts - other (primarily translation)			260
Deductions - Other (primarily translation)	73	18
Deductions - receivable write-offs	1,012	303	933
Balance at end of period	4,037	4,356	4,510
Financing Receivable Allowances | Financial Services
Allowance for doubtful receivables:
Balance at beginning of period	197,077	224,810	238,910
Charged to costs and expenses	(579)	8,990	100,243
Charged to other accounts - bad debt recoveries	33,244	41,904	31,330
Charged to other accounts - other (primarily translation)		382	1,602
Deductions - Other (primarily translation)	11,098
Deductions - receivable write-offs	42,070	79,009	147,275
Balance at end of period	$ 176,574	$ 197,077	$ 224,810