143000000P3YP5Y1111111111111false--12-31FY201900000182301.001.002000000000200000000081489462481489462412500000007590000001200000005000000008200000019300000024200000030700000046000000065000000172200000016000000024600000010000000005000000005000000007500000000.039000.052000.093750.026000.080000.066250.073000.053000.060500.082500.038030.069500.073750.034000.0260.043000.03250.04750P364DP5YP3Y000000780000002020-09-302024-09-302022-09-30780000007720000002050000005000000067000000111000000154000000185000000900000080000001000000020000001900000014000000440000003100000015000000960000002400000050000002600000060000000350000000023000000300000010000000P7YP45YP10YP7YP1YP20YP2YP3Y0.3300.330.390.2210.2150.2510.02350.02870.02680.00810.02020.0248141.32138.3557.85102.1389.75151.12138.5183.00110.0396.310.33330.33330.333321726885223935188602767367530586507
0000018230
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:A8DebenturesDueFebruary152023Member
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CommonStockMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:A5.3DebenturesDueSeptember152035Member
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:A938DebenturesDueMarch152021Member
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
2019-12-31
0000018230
2019-06-30
0000018230
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
2016-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201616Member
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201601Member
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201616Member
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2016-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201601Member
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2016-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201616Member
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2016-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201601Member
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201616Member
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201616Member
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201601Member
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2016-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201601Member
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2018-01-01
0000018230
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201616Member
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201601Member
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2016-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2018-01-01
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2019-01-01
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2019-01-01
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2019-01-01
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
2019-01-01
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2019-01-01
2019-01-01
0000018230
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2019-01-01
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2019-01-01
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
us-gaap:TreasuryStockMember
2019-01-01
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
us-gaap:NoncontrollingInterestMember
2019-01-01
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2019-01-01
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
2019-01-01
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2019-01-01
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:MakMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:PerkinsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
country:US
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FgWilsonMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CountriesOutsideUnitedStatesMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
srt:MinimumMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:MaximumMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
2019-01-01
0000018230
2020-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
cat:ExercisePriceRangeOneMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
cat:ExercisePriceRangeFiveMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
cat:ExercisePriceRangeTwoMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
cat:ExercisePriceRangeFourMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
cat:ExercisePriceRangeThreeMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
cat:ExercisePriceRangeThreeMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
cat:ExercisePriceRangeOneMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
cat:ExercisePriceRangeFiveMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
cat:ExercisePriceRangeFourMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
cat:ExercisePriceRangeTwoMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:PerformanceSharesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
2014-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:PerformanceSharesMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:PerformanceSharesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:StockOptionsandShareAppreciationRightsSARsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:PerformanceSharesMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:PerformanceSharesMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:A2015andlatergrantsMember
us-gaap:PerformanceSharesMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:A2015andlatergrantsMember
us-gaap:ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:A2015andlatergrantsMember
us-gaap:ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:A2015andlatergrantsMember
us-gaap:ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ExercisePriceRangeFourMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ExercisePriceRangeTwoMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ExercisePriceRangeOneMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ExercisePriceRangeFiveMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ExercisePriceRangeThreeMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ReceivablesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ReceivablesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:ReceivablesMember
us-gaap:CommodityContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:LongTermReceivableMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ReceivablesMember
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:ReceivablesMember
us-gaap:CommodityContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:LongTermReceivableMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:LongTermReceivableMember
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ReceivablesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ReceivablesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:ReceivablesMember
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:LongTermReceivableMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ReceivablesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:ReceivablesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:ReceivablesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:LongTermReceivableMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:LongTermReceivableMember
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:CommodityContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:CommodityContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:LongTermReceivableMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccruedLiabilitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:LongTermReceivableMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ReceivablesMember
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CommodityContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CommodityContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CommodityContractMember
us-gaap:NondesignatedMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:SalesMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:CostOfSalesMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:InterestExpenseMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:CashFlowHedgingMember
us-gaap:DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
us-gaap:OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:IronPlanetHoldingsInc.investmentDomain
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:U.S.StateNetOperatingLossesExpiringInTheNextTwentyYearsMember
us-gaap:StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ExpirationDateNextOnetoFifteenYearsMember
us-gaap:StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:DiscretionaryContributionMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCountryMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NetOperatingLossCarryforwardsDuetoExpireInTheNextTwelveMonthsMember
us-gaap:ForeignCountryMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NetOperatingLossCarryforwardsDuetoExpireInYearThreeMember
us-gaap:ForeignCountryMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NetOperatingLossCarryforwardsDuetoExpireInYearFourtoSixMember
us-gaap:ForeignCountryMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NetOperatingLossCarryforwardsDuetoExpireInYearSevenAndBeyondButNotUnlimitedMember
us-gaap:ForeignCountryMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NoExpirationDateMember
us-gaap:ForeignCountryMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NetOperatingLossCarryforwardsDuetoExpireInYearTwoMember
us-gaap:ForeignCountryMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:WholesaleReceivablesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:WholesaleReceivablesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:WholesaleloansMember
cat:WholesaleReceivablesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:WholesaleLeasesMember
cat:WholesaleReceivablesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:RetailloansMember
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:RetailLeasesMember
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:MiningMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:MiningMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:MiningMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:MiningMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:MiningMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:MiningMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:MiningMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:MiningMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:MiningMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:SignificantAmountofAmountDisclosedRepresentedbyaCertainNumberofCustomersMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:SignificantAmountofAmountDisclosedRepresentedbyaCertainNumberofCustomersMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:MiningMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:MiningMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:MiningMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:MiningMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:MiningMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:MiningMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:MiningMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:MiningMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:MiningMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:CaterpillarPowerFinanceMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
cat:MiningMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:CustomerMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancingReceivablesEqualtoGreaterthan91DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancingReceivables61to90DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancingReceivables31to60DaysPastDueMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinanceReceivableMember
cat:DealerMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:LandBuildingsAndImprovementsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:EquipmentLeasedToOtherPartyMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ConstructionInProgressMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:MachineryAndEquipmentMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:LandMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:LandMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:LandBuildingsAndImprovementsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:MachineryAndEquipmentMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ConstructionInProgressMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:EquipmentLeasedToOtherPartyMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:MinimumMember
us-gaap:EquipmentLeasedToOtherPartyMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:MinimumMember
us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:MaximumMember
us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:MinimumMember
us-gaap:MachineryAndEquipmentMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:MinimumMember
us-gaap:LandBuildingsAndImprovementsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:MaximumMember
us-gaap:EquipmentLeasedToOtherPartyMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:MaximumMember
us-gaap:MachineryAndEquipmentMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:MaximumMember
us-gaap:LandBuildingsAndImprovementsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ResourceIndustriesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherSegmentsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:EnergyandTransportationMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:EnergyandTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ConstructionIndustriesMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:ResourceIndustriesMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherSegmentsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:ConstructionIndustriesMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ResourceIndustriesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ResourceIndustriesMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ResourceIndustriesMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:ConstructionIndustriesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ConstructionIndustriesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherSegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:EnergyandTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:ConstructionIndustriesMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherSegmentsMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherSegmentsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:EnergyandTransportationMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:EnergyandTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ECMS.p.A.Domain
2018-01-02
0000018230
cat:DownerFreightRailDomain
2018-01-02
0000018230
cat:EnergyandTransportationMember
2018-01-02
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CustomerRelationshipsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CustomerRelationshipsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DevelopedTechnologyRightsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DevelopedTechnologyRightsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DevelopedTechnologyRightsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DevelopedTechnologyRightsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CustomerRelationshipsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CustomerRelationshipsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovernmentDebtMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovernmentDebtMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2017-01-01
2017-03-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
country:US
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
country:US
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
country:US
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:PostemploymentRetirementBenefitsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:PostemploymentRetirementBenefitsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
country:US
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalFixedIncomeMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalFixedIncomeMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalFixedIncomeMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalFixedIncomeMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalFixedIncomeMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalEquitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalFixedIncomeMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalEquitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalFixedIncomeMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalFixedIncomeMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalFixedIncomeMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalFixedIncomeMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:GlobalEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DebtSecuritiesMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:PlanAssetOtherMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:ForeignPlanMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:EquitySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:RealEstateMember
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
country:US
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:USEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CashAndCashEquivalentsAndOtherMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonUSEquitiesMember
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnitedStatesDefinedContributionPlansMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ForeignDefinedContributionPlansMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnitedStatesDefinedContributionPlansMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnitedStatesDefinedContributionPlansMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:ForeignDefinedContributionPlansMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnitedStatesDefinedContributionPlansMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:ForeignDefinedContributionPlansMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CommercialPaperMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:DemandNotesMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CommercialPaperMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:DemandNotesMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CommercialPaperMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:DemandNotesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CommercialPaperMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:NotesPayableToBanksMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:DemandNotesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2049at3.250PercentMember
2019-09-19
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2029at2.60PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-09-19
0000018230
cat:FinancialProductsSegmentMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:Mediumtermnotematurein2021Member
cat:FinancialProductsSegmentMember
us-gaap:SubsequentEventMember
2020-01-09
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2029at2.60PercentMember
2019-09-19
0000018230
cat:FinancialProductsSegmentMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2018At7900PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2041At5200Percent1Member
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2049at3.250PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinancialProductsSegmentMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2049at3.250PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At6950PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2038At8250PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2041At5200Percent1Member
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2064at4.750PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2023At8000PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2024at3.400PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At3803PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2028At6625PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2022At2600PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2044at4.300PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2064at4.750PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2036At6050PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2028At6625PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2021At9375PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2022At2600PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2024at3.400PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2031At7300PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2036At6050PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2021At3900PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2029at2.60PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2029at2.60PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2038At8250PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2035At5300PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2031At7300PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2097At7375PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2035At5300PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2021At9375PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2023At8000PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2097At7375PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At3803PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDuein2044at4.300PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:UnsecuredDebenturesDueIn2042At6950PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:LongTermUnsecuredNotesDueIn2021At3900PercentMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:Mediumtermnotematurein2022Member
cat:FinancialProductsSegmentMember
us-gaap:SubsequentEventMember
2020-01-09
0000018230
cat:OtherConsolidatedCreditLinesMember
cat:FinancialProductsSegmentMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherConsolidatedCreditLinesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherConsolidatedCreditLinesMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CreditFacility1Member
cat:FinancialProductsSegmentMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CreditFacility1Member
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CreditFacility1Member
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FiveyearfacilityMember
cat:CreditFacility1Member
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FiveyearfacilityMember
cat:CreditFacility1Member
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:A364daycreditfacilityMember
cat:CreditFacility1Member
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CatFinancialMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ThreeyearfacilityMember
cat:CreditFacility1Member
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ThreeyearfacilityMember
cat:CreditFacility1Member
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:A364daycreditfacilityMember
cat:CreditFacility1Member
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ThreeyearfacilityMember
cat:CreditFacility1Member
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:A364daycreditfacilityMember
cat:CreditFacility1Member
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FiveyearfacilityMember
cat:CreditFacility1Member
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
2018-07-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
2016-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
us-gaap:AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
us-gaap:AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
2018-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
2016-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
us-gaap:AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
2016-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember
2016-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201802Member
us-gaap:AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:InterestRateContractMember
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ForeignExchangeContractMember
us-gaap:ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:AccumulatedNetGainLossFromDesignatedOrQualifyingCashFlowHedgesMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovernmentDebtMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:REITMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:REITMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovernmentDebtMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:REITMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:LargeCapitalizationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:LargeCapitalizationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovernmentDebtMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:LargeCapitalizationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:SmallerCompanyMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:REITMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:SmallerCompanyMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:SmallerCompanyMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:LargeCapitalizationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:SmallerCompanyMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovernmentDebtMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:REITMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:LargeCapitalizationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:LargeCapitalizationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:SmallerCompanyMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:SmallerCompanyMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:LargeCapitalizationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:SmallerCompanyMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:REITMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:REITMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:SmallerCompanyMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:REITMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovernmentDebtMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovernmentDebtMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovernmentDebtMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:REITMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:LargeCapitalizationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:REITMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:USTreasurySecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
us-gaap:CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
cat:OtherUSGovernmentAndNonUSGovernmentDebtMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:PortionAtOtherThanFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:PortionAtOtherThanFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel12And3Member
us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel3Member
us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel1Member
us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel2Member
us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:FairValueInputsLevel12And3Member
us-gaap:EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherAssetsMember
2019-01-01
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherAssetsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AssetsLeasedToOthersMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:AssetsLeasedToOthersMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:GuaranteeWithDealerMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:GuaranteeTypeOtherMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CustomerGuaranteesSupplierConsortiumMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:GuaranteeTypeOtherMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:CustomerGuaranteesSupplierConsortiumMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:GuaranteeWithDealerMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:IBAMAallegationsMember
us-gaap:SubsequentEventMember
2020-01-27
2020-01-27
0000018230
cat:IRSinvestigationMember
2017-03-02
2017-03-03
0000018230
cat:SubsidiariesofCaterpillarIncMember
cat:CADEInvestigationMember
2014-03-20
2014-03-20
0000018230
cat:CurrentemployeeofMEGMember
cat:CADEInvestigationMember
2014-03-20
2014-03-20
0000018230
cat:CompaniesMember
cat:CADEInvestigationMember
2014-03-20
2014-03-20
0000018230
cat:IndividualsMember
cat:CADEInvestigationMember
2014-03-20
2014-03-20
0000018230
cat:DefendantfoundliableformeremployeeofMEGMember
cat:CADEInvestigationMember
2019-07-08
2019-07-08
0000018230
cat:DefendantfoundliablecurrentemployeeofMEGMember
cat:CADEInvestigationMember
2019-07-08
2019-07-08
0000018230
cat:FormeremployeeofMEGMember
cat:CADEInvestigationMember
2014-03-20
2014-03-20
0000018230
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:IntersubsegmentEliminationsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:ResourceIndustriesMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:ConstructionIndustriesMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:IntersubsegmentEliminationsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:EnergyandTransportationMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancialProductsSegmentMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:EnergyandTransportationMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:NorthAmericaMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:EnergyandTransportationMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:IntersubsegmentEliminationsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:IntersubsegmentEliminationsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:IntersubsegmentEliminationsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancialProductsSegmentMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:IntersubsegmentEliminationsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinancialProductsSegmentMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:LatinAmericaMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:ResourceIndustriesMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:OtherSegmentsMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:IntersubsegmentEliminationsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:ResourceIndustriesMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:ResourceIndustriesMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ResourceIndustriesMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:OtherSegmentsMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:ConstructionIndustriesMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:EMEAMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:EnergyandTransportationMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:ConstructionIndustriesMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancialProductsSegmentMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:IntersubsegmentEliminationsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherSegmentsMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:AsiaPacificMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancialProductsSegmentMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:LatinAmericaMember
cat:OtherSegmentsMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:NorthAmericaMember
cat:ConstructionIndustriesMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:OtherSegmentsMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:ConstructionIndustriesMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:IntersubsegmentEliminationsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
us-gaap:EMEAMember
cat:EnergyandTransportationMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
srt:AsiaPacificMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:IntersubsegmentEliminationsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:CostCentersMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:CostCentersMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:CostCentersMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CostCentersMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:CostCentersMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:CostCentersMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:CostCentersMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:CostCentersMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:CostCentersMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:TimingReconcilingItemMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:TimingReconcilingItemMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:TimingReconcilingItemMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:TimingReconcilingItemMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
cat:TimingReconcilingItemMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:TimingReconcilingItemMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:TimingReconcilingItemMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:TimingReconcilingItemMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:TimingReconcilingItemMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:TimingReconcilingItemMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:TimingReconcilingItemMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:CostCentersMember
2019-01-01
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:CostCentersMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:CostCentersMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-01-01
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:TimingReconcilingItemMember
2017-01-01
2017-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:InventoryMethodologyDifferencesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:CashandShortTermInvestmentsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsReconcilingItemMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:CashandShortTermInvestmentsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:IntercompanyReceivablesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:InventoryMethodologyDifferencesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:CashandShortTermInvestmentsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:InvestmentinFinancialProductsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:InvestmentinFinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:CashandShortTermInvestmentsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:LiabilitiesIncludedinSegmentAssetsReconcilingItemMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:PropertyPlantandEquipmentNetandOtherAssetsReconcilingItemsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:InventoryMethodologyDifferencesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsReconcilingItemMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:InventoryMethodologyDifferencesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:DeferredandRefundableIncomeTaxesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:PropertyPlantandEquipmentNetandOtherAssetsReconcilingItemsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:InventoryMethodologyDifferencesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:IntercompanyReceivablesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:LiabilitiesIncludedinSegmentAssetsReconcilingItemMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:DeferredandRefundableIncomeTaxesMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:PropertyPlantandEquipmentNetandOtherAssetsReconcilingItemsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:PropertyPlantandEquipmentNetandOtherAssetsReconcilingItemsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:InvestmentinFinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
us-gaap:ReportableSubsegmentsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsReconcilingItemMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:InvestmentinFinancialProductsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:DeferredandRefundableIncomeTaxesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
cat:LiabilitiesIncludedinSegmentAssetsReconcilingItemMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:PropertyPlantandEquipmentNetandOtherAssetsReconcilingItemsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:NonreportableSubsegmentsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:PropertyPlantandEquipmentNetandOtherAssetsReconcilingItemsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2018-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:FinancialProductsMember
cat:OtherReconcilingItemsMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:IntersegmentEliminationMember
cat:InventoryMethodologyDifferencesMember
2019-12-31
0000018230
us-gaap:OperatingSegmentsMember
cat:MachineryEnergyTransportationMember
cat:IntercompanyReceivablesMember
2019-12-31