CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 327,770	$ 300,468	$ 667,326	$ 608,277
Cost of products sold	203,323	184,290	411,099	367,731
Gross profit	124,447	116,178	256,227	240,546
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	79,240	73,339	161,158	148,199
Amortization of intangible assets	6,226	5,968	12,441	12,002
Operating profit	38,981	36,871	82,628	80,345
Financing costs, net	6,262	6,260	13,012	12,582
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	31,393	30,648	67,149	67,156
Other expense (income), net	1,326	(37)	2,467	607
Income tax expense	9,089	4,814	11,840	10,771
Earnings from continuing operations	22,304	25,834	55,309	56,385
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	19,088	2,601	22,120	8,393
Net earnings	$ 41,392	$ 28,435	$ 77,429	$ 64,778
Earnings from continuing operations per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.35	$ 0.76	$ 0.77
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.35	$ 0.74	$ 0.76
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ 0.39	$ 1.07	$ 0.89
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.56	$ 0.38	$ 1.04	$ 0.87
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	72,227	72,946	72,656	72,869
Diluted (in shares)	73,773	74,416	74,392	74,343