Segment Information - Segment Information Mining (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 26, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011	Oct. 29, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 5,660,889	$ 4,403,906	$ 3,524,334
Operating income (loss)	1,172,559	920,179	697,103
Interest income	5,831	13,869	13,195
Interest expense	(73,259)	(38,180)	(29,964)
Reorganization items		(35)	(1,310)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	1,105,131	895,833	679,024
Depreciation and Amortization	152,840	80,618	61,479
Capital Expenditures	241,527	110,523	73,474
Total Assets	6,142,503	5,426,354	3,271,013
Underground Mining Machinery [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	3,107,488	2,576,625	2,126,788
Operating income (loss)	671,797	595,262	433,902
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	671,797	595,262	433,902
Depreciation and Amortization	90,339	40,537	39,142
Capital Expenditures	129,928	50,701	37,273
Total Assets	3,881,583	2,022,553	1,803,141
Surface Mining Equipment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,737,488	1,959,353	1,518,605
Operating income (loss)	592,687	422,472	336,236
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	592,687	422,472	336,236
Depreciation and Amortization	59,887	38,339	20,472
Capital Expenditures	109,325	59,022	35,380
Total Assets	2,158,405	1,936,246	856,764
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	(51,079)	(65,693)	(43,126)
Interest income	5,831	13,869	13,195
Interest expense	(73,259)	(38,180)	(29,964)
Reorganization items		(35)	(1,310)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	(118,507)	(90,039)	(61,205)
Depreciation and Amortization	2,614	1,742	1,865
Capital Expenditures	2,274	800	821
Total Assets	102,515	1,467,555	611,108
Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(184,087)	(132,072)	(121,059)
Operating income (loss)	(40,846)	(31,862)	(29,909)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ (40,846)	$ (31,862)	$ (29,909)