Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings	$ 22,997	$ 12,561
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities:
Deferred income taxes	286	940
Depreciation and amortization	10,897	10,923
Net gain on disposition of equipment	(3,651)	(1,408)
Accretion of debt discount		849
Stock based compensation expense	1,359	1,886
Other	527	(1,705)
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable	(19,305)	(15,515)
Inventories	(13,178)	(41,465)
Leased railcars for syndication	9,853	43,501
Other	2,069	945
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(25,137)	(48,036)
Deferred revenue	(172)	11,039
Net cash used in operating activities	(13,455)	(25,485)
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sales of assets	14,051	10,086
Capital expenditures	(6,542)	(25,141)
Increase in restricted cash	(168)	(1,045)
Investment in and net advances to unconsolidated affiliates	(1,253)	(160)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	6,088	(16,260)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less		27,935
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	7,474	9,195
Repayments of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	(16,878)	(8,941)
Repayments of notes payable	(1,223)	(1,230)
Investment by joint venture partner	419	1,182
Repurchase of stock	(871)
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards	152	217
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(10,927)	28,358
Effect of exchange rate changes	2,085	1,100
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(16,209)	(12,287)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	97,435	53,571
End of period	81,226	41,284
Cash paid during the period for
Interest	5,469	9,362
Income taxes, net	17,694	6,845
Non-cash activity
Transfer of Inventories to Leased railcars for syndication	$ 2,740