Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2013	Apr. 27, 2012	Apr. 26, 2013	Apr. 27, 2012	Oct. 26, 2012
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	$ 1,360,435	$ 1,541,060	$ 2,510,312	$ 2,677,261
Operating income (loss)	278,633	333,437	499,785	547,183
Interest	(15,185)	(17,120)	(30,338)	(33,197)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	263,448	316,317	469,447	513,986
Depreciation and amortization	28,778	53,565	48,873	80,344
Capital expenditures	32,413	64,657	87,001	114,092
Total assets	6,188,502	6,222,589	6,188,502	6,222,589	6,142,503
Underground Mining Machinery
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	681,914	886,552	1,272,024	1,525,855
Operating income (loss)	137,222	201,920	249,105	333,428
Interest	0	0	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	137,222	201,920	249,105	333,428
Depreciation and amortization	16,221	36,240	22,763	46,215
Capital expenditures	12,362	35,094	51,805	51,020
Total assets	3,991,240	3,872,827	3,991,240	3,872,827
Surface Mining Equipment
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	712,796	692,345	1,318,279	1,224,651
Operating income (loss)	165,643	155,619	301,323	252,829
Interest	0	0	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	165,643	155,619	301,323	252,829
Depreciation and amortization	11,837	16,641	24,679	33,398
Capital expenditures	18,660	28,083	32,388	59,991
Total assets	2,096,918	2,147,055	2,096,918	2,147,055
Corporate
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales			0	0
Operating income (loss)	(16,647)	(15,709)	(29,479)	(22,568)
Interest	(15,185)	(17,120)	(30,338)	(33,197)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	(31,832)	(32,829)	(59,817)	(55,765)
Depreciation and amortization	720	684	1,431	731
Capital expenditures	1,391	1,480	2,808	3,081
Total assets	100,344	202,707	100,344	202,707
Eliminations
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	(34,275)	(37,837)	(79,991)	(73,245)
Operating income (loss)	(7,585)	(8,393)	(21,164)	(16,506)
Interest	0	0	0	0
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	(7,585)	(8,393)	(21,164)	(16,506)
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0	0	0
Total assets	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0