Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Computations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 25, 2013	Oct. 26, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	$ 533,938	$ 767,081	$ 631,002
Loss from discontinued operations available to common shareholders	(225)	(5,060)	(21,346)
Net income attributable to Joy Global Inc.	$ 533,713	$ 762,021	$ 609,656
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	106,070	105,862	104,916
Dilutive effect of stock options, performance shares and restricted stock units (in shares)	926	1,027	1,621
Weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution (in shares)	106,996	106,889	106,537
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 5.03	$ 7.25	$ 6.01
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.05)	$ (0.20)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 5.03	$ 7.20	$ 5.81
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 4.99	$ 7.18	$ 5.92
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.05)	$ (0.20)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 4.99	$ 7.13	$ 5.72