Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Aug. 01, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Aug. 01, 2014
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	$ 792,183	$ 875,661	$ 2,306,579	$ 2,644,703
Operating income (loss)	73,364	119,291	192,368	330,278
Interest income	2,543	1,707	8,463	6,583
Interest expense	(16,219)	(16,604)	(48,368)	(49,148)
Income (loss) before income taxes	59,688	104,394	152,463	287,713
Depreciation and amortization	36,738	33,888	102,914	98,725
Capital expenditures	18,026	24,764	57,821	69,068
Underground
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	453,302	470,747	1,261,904	1,466,088
Operating income (loss)	33,967	47,635	106,691	177,773
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	33,967	47,635	106,691	177,773
Depreciation and amortization	22,826	18,568	60,538	54,780
Capital expenditures	10,628	12,675	24,849	31,653
Surface
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	362,559	435,186	1,132,981	1,279,507
Operating income (loss)	57,319	87,269	142,931	216,034
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	57,319	87,269	142,931	216,034
Depreciation and amortization	13,726	14,625	40,672	41,834
Capital expenditures	7,398	10,078	32,831	33,446
Corporate
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(12,542)	(7,039)	(36,704)	(35,464)
Interest income	2,543	1,707	8,463	6,583
Interest expense	(16,219)	(16,604)	(48,368)	(49,148)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(26,218)	(21,936)	(76,609)	(78,029)
Depreciation and amortization	186	695	1,704	2,111
Capital expenditures	0	2,011	141	3,969
Eliminations
Schedule of segment reporting information
Net sales	(23,678)	(30,272)	(88,306)	(100,892)
Operating income (loss)	(5,380)	(8,574)	(20,550)	(28,065)
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	(5,380)	(8,574)	(20,550)	(28,065)
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0