Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings	$ 160,462	$ 284,824	$ 265,309
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes	4,377	(8,935)	(20,151)
Depreciation and amortization	65,129	63,345	45,156
Net gain on disposition of equipment	(9,740)	(15,796)	(1,330)
Stock based compensation expense	26,427	24,037	19,459
Accretion of debt discount	2,340
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	(677)	526	17,215
Other	(845)	560	1,184
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable, net	(25,272)	(32,051)	13,652
Inventories	(2,787)	53,711	(143,849)
Leased railcars for syndication	41,015	19,154	(90,614)
Other	17,558	(16,989)	575
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(30,637)	(91,428)	72,419
Deferred revenue	33,039	50,712	13,308
Net cash provided by operating activities	280,389	331,670	192,333
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(27,127)
Proceeds from sales of assets	24,149	103,715	5,295
Capital expenditures	(86,065)	(139,013)	(105,989)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	15,387	(15,410)	271
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	(40,632)	(12,855)	(34,453)
Cash distribution from joint ventures	550	7,855	3,345
Net cash used in investing activities	(113,738)	(55,708)	(131,531)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less	4,324	(49,000)	49,000
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days			44,451
Repayments of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days		(1,888)	(55,644)
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	276,093
Repayments of notes payable	(8,297)	(22,299)	(7,475)
Debt issuance costs	(9,082)	(4,161)
Decrease in restricted cash			11,000
Repurchase of stock		(33,498)	(69,950)
Dividends	(24,890)	(23,303)	(16,491)
Cash distribution to joint venture partner	(28,511)	(95,092)	(20,375)
Investment by joint venture partner		5,400
Excess tax benefit from restricted stock awards		2,813	2,908
Other		(887)	(248)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	209,637	(221,915)	(62,824)
Effect of exchange rate changes	12,499	(4,298)	(9,964)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	388,787	49,749	(11,986)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	222,679	172,930	184,916
End of period	611,466	222,679	172,930
Cash paid during the period for
Interest	13,962	12,277	15,535
Income taxes, net	45,280	125,455	139,960
Non-cash activity
Transfer from Leased railcars for syndication to Equipment on operating leases, net	8,668	48,096	3,313
Transfer from Inventories to Equipment on operating leases, net		25,069
Capital expenditures accrued in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	16,145	8,408	8,758
Change in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with cash distributions to joint venture partner	484	652
Change in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with repurchase of stock		1,125	268
Transfer of Property, plant and equipment, net to (from) Intangibles and other assets, net	(63)	588	4,045
Change in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with dividends declared	$ (252)	$ (331)	301
Conversion of convertible notes, net of debt issuance costs			$ 109,387