Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 22,754	$ 25,772	$ 23,756
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	58,109	54,960	49,127
Put option loss			952
Realized gain on redemption of trading securities			(952)
Remeasurement (gain)/loss on foreign currency	(2)	267	43
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	445	233	500
Gain on sale of rental and lease equipment	(13,189)	(10,954)	(12,083)
Gain on bargain purchase, net of deferred taxes		(3,435)	(202)
Stock compensation expense	1,330	1,438	956
Excess tax benefit for share based compensation	(251)	(102)	(37)
Deferred income taxes	(4,631)	11,120	23,454
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	1,322	(5,594)	(4,819)
Other assets	(931)	(5,839)	(8,950)
Accounts payable	(467)	(120)	1,184
Accrued expenses	4,068	1,516	(3,974)
Deferred revenue	373	613	(204)
Net cash provided by operating activities	68,930	69,875	68,751
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of rental and lease equipment	31,119	25,042	32,917
Cash paid for acquisition		(10,327)
Proceeds from acquisition purchase price adjustment			260
Payments for purchase of rental and lease equipment	(64,088)	(96,709)	(91,538)
Redemptions of investments, trading			14,275
Payments for purchase of other property	(1,105)	(900)	(1,563)
Net cash used in investing activities	(34,074)	(82,894)	(45,649)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowing under bank line of credit	63,500	3,250
Payment under bank line of credit	(53,500)	(3,250)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			197
Minimum tax withholdings on share based compensation	(36)	(47)
Excess tax benefit for share based compensation	251	102	37
Payment of dividends	(43,765)	(19,378)	(14,449)
Net cash used in financing activities	(33,550)	(19,323)	(14,215)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,306	(32,342)	8,887
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(194)	191	(352)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	9,290	41,441	32,906
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 10,402	$ 9,290	$ 41,441