Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings	$ 35,134	$ 87,586	$ 105,811
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred income taxes	51,100	(9,489)	(20,225)
Depreciation and amortization	100,717	109,850	83,731
Net gain on disposition of equipment	(1,176)	(20,004)	(40,963)
Stock based compensation expense	14,704	8,997	11,153
Net loss on extinguishment of debt	6,287
Accretion of debt discount	7,075	5,504	4,458
Noncontrolling interest adjustments	2,259	1,436	7,402
Goodwill impairment			10,025
Other	2,363	1,142	145
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable, net	(82,117)	144,435	13,022
Income tax receivable	(103,026)	(9,109)
Inventories	(166,488)	166,607	(143,168)
Leased railcars for syndication	(11,904)	(12,942)	(96,110)
Other assets	(5,813)	(64,995)	6,843
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	109,922	(108,837)	55,910
Deferred revenue	438	(27,920)	(19,275)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(40,525)	272,261	(21,241)
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			(361,878)
Proceeds from sales of assets	15,927	83,484	125,427
Capital expenditures	(139,011)	(66,879)	(198,233)
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	(26)	(1,815)	(11,393)
Cash distribution from unconsolidated affiliates and other	5,350	12,693	2,096
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(117,760)	27,483	(443,981)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net changes in revolving notes with maturities of 90 days or less	197,382	146,542	(105)
Proceeds from revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	112,000	176,500
Repayments of revolving notes with maturities longer than 90 days	(287,000)
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	391,890		525,000
Repayments of notes payable	(337,754)	(30,179)	(182,971)
Debt issuance costs	(21,997)		(8,630)
Repurchase of stock	(20,000)
Dividends	(35,663)	(35,173)	(33,193)
Cash distribution to joint venture partner	(25,292)	(38,969)	(16,879)
Investment by joint venture partner	7,000
Tax payments for net share settlement of restricted stock	(3,308)	(2,266)	(6,321)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(22,742)	216,455	276,901
Effect of exchange rate changes	10,336	(12,599)	(12,666)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(170,691)	503,600	(200,987)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
Beginning of period	842,087	338,487	539,474
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, Ending balance	671,396	842,087	338,487
Balance Sheet Reconciliation
Cash and cash equivalents	646,769	833,745	329,684
Restricted cash	24,627	8,342	8,803
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, Ending balance	671,396	842,087	338,487
Cash paid during the period for
Interest	28,125	31,710	18,330
Income taxes, net	11,103	59,939	62,084
Non-cash activity
Transfer from Leased railcars for syndication and Inventories to Equipment on operating leases, net	188,523	55,626	43,845
Capital expenditures accrued in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	5,174	4,099	19,385
Change in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with dividends declared	(23)	(329)	19
Change in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with cash distributions to joint venture partner	$ 648	$ 1,417	(1,146)
2.25% Convertible Senior Notes
Non-cash activity
Issuance of 2.25% Convertible notes in connection with the acquisition of the manufacturing business of ARI			$ 50,000