Aerial Work Platforms
The aerial work platform or AWP is a machinery designed and engineered to raise employees and gear to a particular height for the completion of jobs. The kind of equipment varies with the particular make and model. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all jobs requiring work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept a lot of workers safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
The three main kinds of aerial work platforms are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These types of machinery can be operated with pneumatics, mechanically utilizing a pinion and rack system or by hydraulics or with screws. These models may be self-propelled with controls at the platform, they may be unpowered models requiring an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle so as to be transported.
The aerial work platform was developed by John L. Grove, an American industrialist and inventor. Nonetheless, during the year 1966, before JLG's first unit, a company called Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift model.
John L. Grove along with his wife decided to take a road trip in 1967. This was after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing. They decided to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 2 workers electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which can lift employees safely in the air for them to perform maintenance and construction jobs in a better way.
John bought a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership with 2 friends, once he returned home from his vacation. The small company soon began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their very first aerial work platform during 1970 with the aid of 20 employees.