Aerial Work Platforms
The AWP or aerial work platform is a machinery engineered and designed to raise employees and gear to a certain height for the completion of jobs. The kind of machine varies with the specific make and unit. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks which require work at high levels needed to be done with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept numerous employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
The three key types of aerial work platforms are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These types of equipment are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically making use of a rack and pinion system or with screws or by hydraulics. These units may be self-propelled with controls at the platform, they may be unpowered units requiring an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle so as to be transported.
The aerial work platform was created by John L. Grove, an American industrialist and inventor. However, during the year 1966, before JLG's first unit, a company called Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift model.
During the year 1967, after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove together with his wife decided to take a road trip. They opted to make a stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 2 workers electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product that can raise workers safely in the air for them to do construction and maintenance jobs in a better way.
Once John returned home from his trip, he bought a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership along with 2 friends. They soon started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their very first aerial work platform in the year 1920 with the aid of 20 workers.