Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 01, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Oct. 01, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Proportionate share of net income (gain)			$ 11,001,000	$ 9,025,000
Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC [Member]
Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Amount of dividend received from related party	0	0	7,500,000	5,000,000
Proportionate share of net income (gain)	3,900,000	1,800,000	9,700,000	6,200,000
Carrying amount of investment	11,100,000		11,100,000		8,900,000
Amount received as reimbursement of employee-related costs	3,600,000	2,900,000	11,200,000	8,500,000
Amount receivables from related party	9,500,000		9,500,000		4,400,000
Amount due to related party	10,300,000		10,300,000		5,700,000
Caterpillar [Member]
Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership of joint venture with equal voting rights	50.00%		50.00%
Caterpillar Distribution Channel [Member]
Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Revenue recorded for manufacturing of products sold by the Company to related party	2,300,000	800,000	5,000,000	2,600,000
Cost of sales recorded for manufacturing of products sold by the Company to related party	2,200,000	800,000	4,900,000	2,500,000
Nikon-Trimble Co. Ltd [Member]
Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Amount of dividend received from related party	0	0	0	0
Proportionate share of net income (gain)	600,000	1,400,000	1,600,000	2,700,000
Carrying amount of investment	17,100,000		17,100,000		15,500,000
Revenue recorded for manufacturing of products sold by the Company to related party	4,200,000	4,700,000	12,500,000	13,200,000
Cost of sales recorded for manufacturing of products sold by the Company to related party	2,300,000	2,800,000	7,000,000	8,200,000
Purchases of product from related party	5,200,000	7,700,000	17,100,000	16,000,000
Amount receivables from related party	3,700,000		3,700,000		3,500,000
Amount due to related party	5,500,000		5,500,000		7,000,000
Nikon Corporation [Member]
Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership of joint venture with equal voting rights	50.00%		50.00%
Trimble Navigation Ltd [Member]
Joint Ventures [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership of joint venture with equal voting rights	50.00%		50.00%
Cost of sales recorded for manufacturing of products sold by the Company to related party	$ 10,000,000	$ 7,400,000	$ 28,500,000	$ 22,000,000