Segment Information - Segment Information Mining (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 25, 2013	Oct. 26, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 3,778,310us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 5,012,697us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet	$ 5,660,889us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsNet
Operating income (loss)	517,140us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	821,661us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	1,172,559us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Interest income	9,760us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest	8,781us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest	5,831us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest
Interest expense	(65,108)us-gaap_InterestExpense	(66,285)us-gaap_InterestExpense	(73,259)us-gaap_InterestExpense
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	461,792	764,157	1,105,131
Depreciation and amortization	133,593	113,519	152,840
Capital expenditures	91,077	153,418	241,527
Total assets	5,596,986us-gaap_Assets	5,789,582us-gaap_Assets	6,142,503us-gaap_Assets
Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(143,688)	(173,020)	(184,087)
Operating income (loss)	(43,531)	(45,234)	(40,846)
Interest income	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	(43,531)	(45,234)	(40,846)
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Total assets	0	0	0
Underground Mining Machinery
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,078,894	2,691,039	3,107,488
Operating income (loss)	273,930	367,233	671,797
Interest income	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	273,930	367,233	671,797
Depreciation and amortization	74,781	60,042	90,339
Capital expenditures	42,525	73,286	129,928
Total assets	3,486,486	3,676,120	3,881,583
Surface Mining Equipment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,843,104	2,494,678	2,737,488
Operating income (loss)	334,826	525,314	592,687
Interest income	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	334,826	525,314	592,687
Depreciation and amortization	55,937	50,512	59,887
Capital expenditures	43,846	71,643	109,325
Total assets	1,929,807	1,917,717	2,158,405
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(48,085)	(25,652)	(51,079)
Interest income	9,760	8,781	5,831
Interest expense	(65,108)	(66,285)	(73,259)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	(103,433)	(83,156)	(118,507)
Depreciation and amortization	2,875	2,965	2,614
Capital expenditures	4,706	8,489	2,274
Total assets	$ 180,693	$ 195,745	$ 102,515

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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