Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 25, 2013	Oct. 25, 2013
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	$ 839,312	$ 1,149,877
Operating income (loss)	85,245	221,152
Interest income	2,583	1,801
Interest expense	(16,403)	(16,954)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	71,425	205,999
Depreciation and amortization	32,766	20,095
Capital expenditures	26,655	54,588
Total assets	5,523,676	6,176,798	5,789,582
Underground
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	477,463	590,110
Operating income (loss)	62,606	111,883
Interest income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	62,606	111,883
Depreciation and amortization	18,734	6,542
Capital expenditures	9,856	39,443
Total assets	3,551,696	3,860,301
Surface
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	400,696	605,483
Operating income (loss)	46,152	135,680
Interest income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	46,152	135,680
Depreciation and amortization	13,292	12,842
Capital expenditures	13,255	13,728
Total assets	1,858,395	2,179,929
Corporate
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(14,222)	(12,832)
Interest income	2,583	1,801
Interest expense	(16,403)	(16,954)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(28,042)	(27,985)
Depreciation and amortization	740	711
Capital expenditures	3,544	1,417
Total assets	113,585	136,568
Eliminations
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	(38,847)	(45,716)
Operating income (loss)	(9,291)	(13,579)
Interest income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(9,291)	(13,579)
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0
Total assets	$ 0	$ 0