Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 group_presidents segments	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Reportable Segments
Number of group presidents			5
Number of operating segments led by Group Presidents			3
Number of operating segments led by Group President responsible for corporate services			1
Number of smaller operating segments led by Group President			1
Number of operating segments			5
Number of reportable segments			4
Useful life to amortize goodwill for segment assets			20 years
Sales and revenues	$ 13,423	$ 16,445	$ 41,254	$ 49,800
Depreciation and amortization	779	720	2,263	2,070
Consolidated profit before taxes	1,261	2,450	3,741	7,324
Segment assets	87,272		87,272		89,356
Capital expenditures	966	1,231	3,163	3,526
Reportable Segments Including Intersegment Eliminations
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	14,027	17,163	43,094	52,020
Reportable Segments
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	13,280	16,211	40,843	48,804
Depreciation and amortization	701	659	2,023	1,896
Consolidated profit before taxes	1,772	2,705	5,459	8,790
Segment assets	66,444		66,444		69,734
Capital expenditures	847	1,152	2,395	3,042
Intersegment Eliminations
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	747	952	2,251	3,216
Machinery and Power Systems | Reportable Segments Including Intersegment Eliminations
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	13,220	16,387	40,686	49,719
Machinery and Power Systems | Reportable Segments
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	12,473	15,435	38,435	46,503
Depreciation and amortization	498	480	1,452	1,366
Consolidated profit before taxes	1,554	2,515	4,735	8,207
Segment assets	29,205		29,205		33,171
Capital expenditures	374	720	1,151	1,810
Machinery and Power Systems | Intersegment Eliminations
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	747	952	2,251	3,216
Construction Industries | Reportable Segments Including Intersegment Eliminations
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	4,615	5,006	13,856	15,661
Construction Industries | Reportable Segments
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	4,547	4,904	13,594	15,306
Depreciation and amortization	145	144	426	414
Consolidated profit before taxes	262	459	863	1,763
Segment assets	8,489		8,489		10,393
Capital expenditures	143	247	403	597
Construction Industries | Intersegment Eliminations
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	68	102	262	355
Resource Industries | Reportable Segments Including Intersegment Eliminations
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	3,212	5,467	10,912	16,291
Resource Industries | Reportable Segments
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	3,004	5,214	10,251	15,382
Depreciation and amortization	192	179	558	510
Consolidated profit before taxes	409	1,113	1,436	3,707
Segment assets	11,703		11,703		13,455
Capital expenditures	106	229	358	603
Resource Industries | Intersegment Eliminations
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	208	253	661	909
Power Systems | Reportable Segments Including Intersegment Eliminations
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	5,393	5,914	15,918	17,767
Power Systems | Reportable Segments
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	4,922	5,317	14,590	15,815
Depreciation and amortization	161	157	468	442
Consolidated profit before taxes	883	943	2,436	2,737
Segment assets	9,013		9,013		9,323
Capital expenditures	125	244	390	610
Power Systems | Intersegment Eliminations
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	471	597	1,328	1,952
Financial Products Segment | Reportable Segments Including Intersegment Eliminations
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	807	776	2,408	2,301
Financial Products Segment | Reportable Segments
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	807	776	2,408	2,301
Depreciation and amortization	203	179	571	530
Consolidated profit before taxes	218	190	724	583
Segment assets	37,239		37,239		36,563
Capital expenditures	473	432	1,244	1,232
Financial Products Segment | Intersegment Eliminations
Reportable Segments
Sales and revenues	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0