Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes In Carrying Amount Of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Oct. 26, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of October 29, 2010	$ 428,478	$ 125,686
Goodwill acquired during the year	954,327	301,228
Translation adjustments and other	(447)	1,564
Balance as of October 26, 2012	1,382,358	428,478
Underground Mining Machinery [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of October 29, 2010	115,704	115,137
Goodwill acquired during the year	908,567
Translation adjustments and other	(57)	567
Balance as of October 26, 2012	1,024,214	115,704
Surface Mining Equipment [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of October 29, 2010	312,774	10,549
Goodwill acquired during the year	45,760	301,228
Translation adjustments and other	(390)	997
Balance as of October 26, 2012	$ 358,144	$ 312,774

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-Clause 1

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Paragraph 68

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 34

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 43

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 72

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The increase (decrease) in the recorded value of goodwill for foreign currency translation adjustments and purchase accounting adjustments needed to revise the carrying amount of goodwill to fair value.

+ References

+ Details