XML 77 R80.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Cat Financial Financing Activities (Details 4) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]    
Period after which finance receivables are considered non-performing (in days) 120 days  
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables $ 23,122us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome $ 24,066us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 22,524us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 23,598us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 598us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 468us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
North America    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 9,531us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember		 9,462us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
North America | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 9,500us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 9,435us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
North America | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 31us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 27us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Europe    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 2,554us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember		 2,828us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember
Europe | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 2,511us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 2,800us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Europe | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 43us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 28us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Asia Pacific    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 2,771us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember		 3,002us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
Asia Pacific | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 2,727us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 2,948us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Asia Pacific | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 44us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 54us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Mining    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 1,989us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember		 2,123us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
Mining | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 1,865us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 2,061us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Mining | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 124us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 62us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Latin America    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 3,117us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember		 3,503us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
Latin America | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 2,904us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 3,302us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Latin America | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 213us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 201us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Caterpillar Power Finance    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 3,160us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember		 3,148us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
Caterpillar Power Finance | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 3,017us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 3,052us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Caterpillar Power Finance | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 143us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 96us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 19,584us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember		 20,512us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
Customer | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 18,986us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 20,044us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 598us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 468us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer | North America    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 7,256us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember		 7,273us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
Customer | North America | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 7,225us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 7,246us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer | North America | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 31us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 27us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer | Europe    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 2,419us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember		 2,675us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember
Customer | Europe | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 2,376us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 2,647us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer | Europe | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 43us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 28us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer | Asia Pacific    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 2,242us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember		 2,436us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
Customer | Asia Pacific | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 2,198us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 2,382us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer | Asia Pacific | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 44us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 54us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer | Mining    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 1,989us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember		 2,123us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
Customer | Mining | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 1,865us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 2,061us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer | Mining | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 124us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 62us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer | Latin America    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 2,518us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember		 2,857us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
Customer | Latin America | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 2,305us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 2,656us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer | Latin America | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 213us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 201us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer | Caterpillar Power Finance    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 3,160us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember		 3,148us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
Customer | Caterpillar Power Finance | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 3,017us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 3,052us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Customer | Caterpillar Power Finance | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 143us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 96us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CustomerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 3,538us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember		 3,554us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
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Dealer | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 3,538us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 3,554us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
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= cat_DealerMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
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= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer | North America    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 2,275us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember		 2,189us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
Dealer | North America | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 2,275us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
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= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
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= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 2,189us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
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= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer | North America | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
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= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
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= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
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= us-gaap_NorthAmericaMember
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= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer | Europe    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 135us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember		 153us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
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/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember
Dealer | Europe | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 135us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
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= us-gaap_EMEAMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 153us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
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= us-gaap_EMEAMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer | Europe | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
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= us-gaap_EMEAMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
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/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_EMEAMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer | Asia Pacific    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 529us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember		 566us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
Dealer | Asia Pacific | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 529us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 566us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer | Asia Pacific | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
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= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
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/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer | Mining    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember		 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
Dealer | Mining | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer | Mining | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
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/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_MiningMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer | Latin America    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 599us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember		 646us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
Dealer | Latin America | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 599us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 646us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer | Latin America | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
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= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= us-gaap_LatinAmericaMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer | Caterpillar Power Finance    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember		 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
Dealer | Caterpillar Power Finance | Performing    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember		 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember
Dealer | Caterpillar Power Finance | Nonperforming    
Finance Receivables    
Ending balance-recorded investment in finance receivables $ 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_DealerMember
/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
= cat_CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
= us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember		 $ 0us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableNetOfDeferredIncome
/ us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis
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/ cat_ImpairedFinancingReceivableAxis
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/ us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis
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