Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment and Product Line (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($)	May 31, 2015 USD ($)	May 31, 2016 USD ($) Segment	May 31, 2015 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | Segment				3
Net sales	$ 305,341		$ 320,100	$ 873,641	$ 948,870
Operating profit (Loss)	28,343		43,002	(118,401)	24,773
Assets	1,467,420			1,467,420		$ 1,636,917
Impairment charges	0	$ 186,511	0	186,511	84,353
Industrial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	95,751		103,546	265,809	302,448
Operating profit (Loss)	21,712		29,165	58,994	79,386
Assets	299,971			299,971		293,738
Industrial Tools
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	81,771		88,348	233,599	267,064
Integrated Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	13,980		15,198	32,210	35,384
Energy
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	101,300		99,297	301,288	311,029
Operating profit (Loss)	10,870		12,774	(115,803)	(50,457)
Assets	508,660			508,660		601,521
Impairment charges				140,837	84,353
Energy Maintenance & Integrity
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	73,377		62,644	210,762	182,985
Other Energy Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	27,923		36,653	90,526	128,044
Engineered Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	108,290		117,257	306,544	335,393
Operating profit (Loss)	3,651		8,313	(37,943)	16,601
Assets	529,275			529,275		588,200
Impairment charges				45,674
On-Highway
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	58,439		59,673	161,949	170,122
Agriculture, Off-Highway and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	49,851		57,584	144,595	165,271
General Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit (Loss)	(7,890)		$ (7,250)	(23,649)	$ (20,757)
Assets	$ 129,514			$ 129,514		$ 153,458