Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	May 31, 2015	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2015
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2015				$ 0
Restructuring charges	$ 3,496		$ 0	11,458	$ 0
Cash payments				(4,504)
Other non-cash uses of reserve				(475)
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates				21
Balance as of May 31, 2016	6,500			6,500
Interest Income, Other	400		500	1,400	1,400
Impairment charges	0	$ 186,511	$ 0	186,511	84,353
Industrial
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2015				0
Restructuring charges				1,792
Cash payments				(1,000)
Other non-cash uses of reserve				0
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates				17
Balance as of May 31, 2016	809			809
Energy
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2015				0
Restructuring charges				4,877
Cash payments				(1,122)
Other non-cash uses of reserve				(170)
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates				(14)
Balance as of May 31, 2016	3,571			3,571
Impairment charges				140,837	$ 84,353
Engineered Solutions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2015				0
Restructuring charges				4,528
Cash payments				(2,182)
Other non-cash uses of reserve				(304)
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates				18
Balance as of May 31, 2016	2,060			2,060
Impairment charges				45,674
General Corporate
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of August 31, 2015				0
Restructuring charges				261
Cash payments				(200)
Other non-cash uses of reserve				(1)
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates				0
Balance as of May 31, 2016	$ 60			$ 60