Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2013	Oct. 26, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011
Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 533,713	$ 762,201	$ 609,656
Loss from discontinued operations	225	5,060	21,346
Adjustments to continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization	113,519	152,840	79,110
Intangible asset impairment charges	155,200	0	0
Changes in deferred income taxes	12,184	22,663	76,784
Contributions to defined benefit employee pension plans	(165,712)	(184,865)	(180,897)
Defined benefit employee pension plan expense	19,632	46,508	50,326
Gain on remeasurement of IMM shares upon obtaining control	0	(19,435)	0
Share-based compensation expense	29,006	27,381	25,507
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation awards	(1,728)	(21,250)	(14,982)
Changes in long-term receivables	(116,151)	(16,133)	(10,120)
Other adjustments to continuing operations, net	6,754	(10,846)	64
Changes in working capital items attributed to continuing operations, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	206,914	(162,876)	(112,910)
Inventories	199,530	(84,514)	(391,129)
Other current assets	18,597	(27,696)	(42,798)
Trade accounts payable	(55,087)	(81,517)	120,745
Employee compensation and benefits	(24,465)	6,227	7,608
Advance payments and progress billings	(249,752)	(91,378)	301,818
Other accrued liabilities	(43,841)	141,545	(40,402)
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations	638,538	463,915	499,726
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities of discontinued operations	(1,688)	(21,054)	4,967
Net cash provided by operating activities	636,850	442,861	504,693
Investing Activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	(955,917)	(1,048,908)
Property, plant and equipment acquired	(153,418)	(241,527)	(110,523)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	3,555	7,917	6,160
(Working capital adjustment) proceeds from sale of LeTourneau Technologies Drilling Systems, Inc.	0	(56,270)	375,000
Equity investment in IMM shares	0	0	(376,724)
Withdrawals (deposits) of cash held in escrow	0	866,000	(866,000)
Other investing activities, net	(112)	1,468	(882)
Net cash used by investing activities	(149,975)	(378,329)	(2,021,877)
Financing Activities:
Common stock issued	7,575	12,148	53,341
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options	1,728	21,250	14,982
Dividends paid	(74,325)	(73,961)	(73,262)
Issuance of senior notes	0	0	495,755
Borrowings under term loans	0	250,000	500,000
Repayments of term loans	(50,000)	(281,250)	(6,250)
Change in short and long-term obligations, net	(7,374)	(4,492)	5,210
Financing fees	0	(5,304)	(13,060)
Treasury stock purchased	(214,106)	0	0
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(336,502)	(81,609)	976,716
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(8,537)	(7,371)	13,208
Increase (decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	141,836	(24,448)	(527,260)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	263,873	288,321	815,581
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	405,709	263,873	288,321
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	63,623	69,743	33,505
Income taxes paid	$ 262,705	$ 178,729	$ 217,418