Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 232,368	$ 171,698	$ 208,649
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	119,743	120,628	129,524
Net loss (gain) on sales of assets and businesses	1,491	(1,775)	(4,452)
Stock-based compensation	23,383	20,109	21,475
Deferred income taxes	(40,155)	(23,226)	(11,964)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	(113,119)	(54,380)	41,241
Unbilled receivables (contract assets)	(23,879)	(44,451)	(16,491)
Costs to fulfill a contract	(11,544)	(17,118)	(19,761)
Inventories	3,234	(110,196)	18,871
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	67,447	122,963	61,793
Contract liabilities	20,115	12,466	24,848
Income taxes	(3,652)	29,644	21,509
Retirement benefit obligations	(909)	(4,424)	(6,848)
Other	34,020	(28,300)	(3,725)
Net cash provided by operating activities	308,543	193,638	464,669
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for purchase of property, plant, and equipment	(76,500)	(52,868)	(37,689)
Proceeds from sale of assets	488	43	154
Payments for business acquisition, net of cash acquired	878	(21,549)
Proceeds from the sale of the renewable power systems business and other related businesses		6,000
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments	7,692	12,557	16,575
Payments for purchases of short-term investments	(6,109)	(9,632)	(14,337)
Net cash used in investing activities	(73,551)	(65,449)	(35,297)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(51,027)	(44,978)	(36,041)
Proceeds from sales of treasury stock	50,749	21,897	34,706
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(126,380)	(485,300)	(33,344)
Borrowings on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	2,323,500	952,000	74,400
Payments on revolving lines of credit and short-term borrowings	(2,390,300)	(885,200)	(74,400)
Payments of debt financing costs	(2,236)
Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations	(779)	(797)	(101,639)
Net cash used in financing activities	(196,473)	(442,378)	(136,318)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(8,916)	(26,429)	2,138
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	29,603	(340,618)	295,192
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, at beginning of year	107,844	448,462	153,270
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, at end of year	$ 137,447	$ 107,844	$ 448,462