CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating Activities of Continuing Operations
Net earnings	$ 570,267	$ 811,665	$ 508,892
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash from operating activities:
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net	20,878	(65,002)	(6,764)
Depreciation and amortization	282,580	283,278	249,672
Stock-based compensation	23,698	24,073	18,650
Gain on sale of business	0	(203,135)	(96,598)
Provision for losses on accounts receivable (net of recoveries)	3,875	10,341	7,700
Deferred income taxes	(35,448)	(160,395)	(43,258)
Employee benefit plan expense	11,912	12,191	25,364
Contributions to employee benefit plans	(25,933)	(18,588)	(23,042)
Other, net	(6,762)	(4,216)	(31,965)
Cash effect of changes assets and liabilities (excluding effects of acquisitions, dispositions and foreign exchange):
Accounts receivable	(87,573)	(43,450)	(74,049)
Inventories	(85,052)	605	(3,287)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(7,453)	(5,232)	(415)
Accounts payable	106,561	94,052	70,836
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	(7,037)	23,319	(10,429)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(5,026)	(36,024)	49,960
Accrued taxes	29,706	15,927	93,329
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations	789,193	739,409	734,596
Investing Activities of Continuing Operations
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(170,994)	(170,068)	(139,578)
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	68,557	27,188	1,561,737
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	5,908	11,774	15,223
Proceeds from the sale of businesses	3,937	372,666	206,407
Other	(15,774)	21,151	(1,057)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of continuing operations	(245,480)	208,335	(1,480,742)
Financing Activities of Continuing Operations
Cash received from Apergy, net of cash distributed	689,643	0	0
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0	656,399
Proceeds from exercise of share-based awards, including tax benefits	0	0	8,431
Change in commercial paper and notes payable, net	(10,722)	(182,596)	254,834
Repayment of long-term debt	(350,000)	0	(1,889)
Dividends to stockholders	(283,570)	(283,959)	(267,739)
Purchase of common stock	(894,977)	(105,023)	0
Payments for employee tax obligations upon exercise of share-based awards	(46,254)	(18,443)	(15,700)
Other	(1,958)	(2,912)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of continuing operations	(897,838)	(592,933)	634,336
Cash Flows from Discontinued Operations
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations	9,442	96,225	128,346
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations	(23,705)	(46,484)	(24,231)
Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operations	0	(1,208)	(600)
Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued operations	(14,263)	48,533	103,515
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	10,645	1,474	(4,744)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(357,743)	404,818	(13,039)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	753,964	349,146	362,185
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	396,221	753,964	349,146
Supplemental information - cash paid during the year for [Abstract]
Income taxes	135,427	337,987	170,394
Interest	$ 131,823	$ 140,863	$ 131,184