Document and Entity Information (Abstract) Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract] Operating revenues Total operating revenues Total operating revenues Cost of operating revenues Cost of operating revenues Gross Profit Gross profit Operating expenses: Selling expense General and administrative expense General and administrative expense Unallocated general and administrative expenses Engineering and research expense Engineering and research expense Environmental Remediation Expense Environmental remediation expense Environmental remediation expenses Operating Expenses Total operating expenses Operating Income (Loss) Operating income Segment operating income Other income (expense): Interest expense Interest expense Interest expense Interest income Other income (expense), net Other income (expense), net Other expense, net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Earnings before income taxes Income tax provision Income tax provision Income tax provision Income tax provision Income tax expense Net earnings Net earnings Net income Net Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Basic net earnings per share Basic net earnings per share Basic Diluted net earnings per share Diluted net earnings per share Diluted Shares Used In Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Shares Used In Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Shares used in computing earnings per share Weighted average shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Basic Weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution Performance stock units included in calculation of diluted net earnings per share Weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution Diluted Cash dividends per share Cash dividends declared per share Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax Defined benefit pension plan adjustment, net of tax expense of $20 and $16 Defined benefit pension plan adjustment, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Defined benefit pension plan, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax expense of $17 and $44 Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of hedging activities, net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of hedging activities, net of tax (benefit) expense of ($430) and $79 Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (benefit) expense of ($393), $139 Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Total comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Net of tax expense (benefit) Other comprehensive income, tax (benefit) expense Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Total Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets Abstract ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Receivables, net of allowance of $2,340, $2,187 and $2,340, respectively Receivables, net of allowance of $1,645, $2,171 and $1,717 Receivables, net of allowance, $2,246, $1,864, and $1,503, respectively Inventories, net Inventories, net Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Other Assets Current Other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Property, Plant And Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Beginning Balance Cost Total operating property, plant and equipment Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated depreciation Less- accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Less- accumulated depreciation Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, plant and equipment, net Other intangible assets, net Other intangible assets, net Intangibles, net Goodwill, net Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill Goodwill, Total Other noncurrent assets Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total Assets Total assets Total Assets LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Current portion of long-term debt Less current portion Less current portion Total long-term debt Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current, Total Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Pension benefits liabilities Total long-term debt Long-term debt Total long-term debt Total long-term debt Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Other noncurrent liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Liabilities Total liabilities Shareholders' Equity: Preferred stock, ($1 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding) Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred stock of $1 par value - Authorized 2,000 shares, none issued no shares issued and outstanding) Common Stock Value Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common stock of $1 par value - Authorized 25,000 shares; 18,531 issued 18,397, 18,242 and 18,374 shares issued at November 30, 2011 and 2010 and August 31, 2011, respectively) Capital in excess of stated value Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Capital in excess of stated value Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained earnings Less treasury stock (at cost, 5,698,448, 5,763,448 and 5,813,448 shares at May 31, 2010 and 2009 and August 31, 2009, respectively) Less treasury stock (at cost, 5,698 shares) Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income, net Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income, net Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Total shareholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Receivables, allowance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Preferred stock, par value Preferred stock, authorized Preferred stock, issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Common stock, par value Common stock, authorized Common stock, issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction, Total Provision for Doubtful Accounts Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Stock-based compensation expense Share-based compensation expense Stock-based compensation expense Share-based compensation expense Other, net Other Noncash Income (Expense), Total Changes in assets and liabilities: Receivables Receivables Increase Decrease In Inventories Inventories Inventories Inventories Other current assets Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets, Total Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable Accounts payable Accounts payable Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities Other current liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities, Total Current taxes payable Increase Decrease In Other Non Current Assets And Liabilities Increase Decrease In Other Non Current Assets And Liabilities Other noncurrent assets and liabilities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of property, plant and equipment Purchases of property, plant and equipment Purchases of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from settlement of net investment hedge Proceeds (payment) for settlement of net investment hedge Payments for (Proceeds from) Hedge, Investing Activities, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from issuance of common stock under stock compensation plan Issuance of common stock under share-based compensation plans Proceeds from exercise of stock options Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation Common stock withheld for payroll tax withholdings Common stock withheld from share-based compensation for payroll tax withholdings Principal payments on long-term debt Principal payments on long-term debt Principal payments on long-term debt Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation Dividends paid Dividends paid Dividends paid Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net change in cash and cash equivalents Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization Consolidated And Presentation Of Financial Statement Disclosure Text Block Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract] New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] New Accounting Pronouncements Earnigns Per Share Text Block Net Earnings Per Share Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Tax DIsclosure Text Block Income Taxes Inventories [Abstract] Inventory Disclosure Text Block Inventories Credit Arrangements [Abstract] Debt Disclosure Text Block Credit Arrangements Financial Derivatives [Abstract] Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure Text Block Gain(Loss) Recognized in OCI net of tax Financial Derivatives Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures Text Block Fair Value Measurements Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure Text Block Commitments And Contingencies Warranties [Abstract] Product Warranty Disclosure Text Block Warranties Share-Based Compensation [Abstract] Share-Based Compensation Industry Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Reporting Disclosures Text Block Industry Segment Information Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Inventories Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Outstanding Long-Term Debt Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Derivative Instruments Statements Of Financial Performance And Financial Position, Location Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Derivative Instruments, Effect On Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value Schedule Of Financial Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value Summary Of Undiscounted Environmental Remediation Liability Classifications [Table Text Block] Summary Of Undiscounted Environmental Remediation Liability Classifications [Table Text Block] Summary Of Undiscounted Environmental Remediation Liability Classifications Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Product Warranty Liability Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Table Text Block] Summary Of Type And Fair Value Of Share-Based Compensation Awards Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information, By Segment Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Reconciliation Of Assets From Segment To Consolidated Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment, Total Diluted effect of stock equivalents Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations Estimated effective income tax rate Effective income tax rate, continuing operations, total Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Gross Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Gross, Total Raw materials and supplies Inventory, Work in Process, Gross Work in process Other Inventory, Gross Other Inventory, Gross, Total Finished goods and purchased parts Inventory, Gross Total inventory value before LIFO adjustment Inventory, LIFO Reserve Less adjustment to LIFO value LIFO reserve Long-term Debt Carrying amount of long-term debt (including current portion) BSI Term Note BSI Term Note Carrying amount of long-term debt (including current portion) Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] E U [R] Euro [Member] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] The effective portion of gain or loss included in accumulated other comprehensive income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments. Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Included In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Into Income Effective Portion Net Realized and unrealized gains, net of related income tax effects Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Basis percentage Fixed rate, per annum Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation forward contracts resulting in an after-tax net (loss) gain Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated currency translation adjustments in AOCI, after-tax gains Notional Amount of Foreign Currency Derivative Sale Contracts Outstanding foreign currency forward contracts to sell Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Domain] Hedging Designation [Domain] Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] Nondesignated [Member] Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments [Member] Derivatives, Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Other Current Liabilities [Member] Other Current Liabilities [Member] Other Current Liabilities [Member] Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] Other Current Assets [Member] Other Current Assets [Member] Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets, Major Types of Trading Securities and Assets [Axis] Major Types Of Debt And Equity Securities [Domain] Major Types of Trading Securities and Assets [Domain] Forward Contracts [Member] Foreign Currency Forward Contracts [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] Foreign Currency Derivative Assets at Fair Value Derivative assets Foreign Currency Derivatives at Fair Value, Net Derivative liabilities Total derivatives not designated as hedging Derivative liabilities Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value Interest rate swap liabilities Interest rate swap liabilities Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, Total Fair Values of Derivative Instruments Asset (Liability) Derivatives Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Accumulated currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives Derivatives used in Net Investment Hedge, Tax Benefit (Expense) Net of tax expense Net of tax expense Long-term Debt, Fair Value Long-term portion Fair value of the long-term portion Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member] Level 1