CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2014	May 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 378,187	$ 344,205	$ 1,045,513	$ 952,482
Cost of products sold	229,637	207,301	640,737	575,032
Gross profit	148,550	136,904	404,776	377,450
Selling, administrative and engineering expenses	83,498	74,323	244,655	222,521
Amortization of intangible assets	6,272	5,539	18,713	17,542
Operating profit	58,780	57,042	141,408	137,387
Financing costs, net	5,932	6,229	18,944	18,811
Other expense (income), net	620	911	3,087	1,518
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax expense	52,228	49,902	119,377	117,058
Income tax expense	1,671	3,825	13,511	14,596
Earnings from continuing operations	50,557	46,077	105,866	102,462
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	(139,060)	22,120	(130,667)
Net earnings (loss)	$ 50,557	$ (92,983)	$ 127,986	$ (28,205)
Earnings from continuing operations per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.72	$ 0.63	$ 1.47	$ 1.40
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.70	$ 0.62	$ 1.44	$ 1.38
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.72	$ (1.27)	$ 1.78	$ (0.39)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.70	$ (1.24)	$ 1.74	$ (0.38)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	70,432	73,133	71,915	72,957
Diluted (in shares)	71,770	74,787	73,518	74,491