Aerial Work Platforms
The AWP or aerial work platform is a machine designed and engineered to raise employees and tools to a certain height for the completion of tasks. The type of equipment varies with the particular make and model. Before aerial work platforms were made, all tasks that need work at high levels had to be carried out with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept many workers safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
The three main types of aerial work platforms are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These machines are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically making use of a rack and pinion 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 inventor and industrialist. Nonetheless, in the year 1966, before the very first unit of JLG, a company known as Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift model.
During the year 1967, after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove together with his wife decided to take a road trip. They opted to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately saw 2 employees electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This terrible event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which could lift workers safely in the air for them to perform maintenance and construction jobs in a better way.
When John returned home from his vacation, he bought a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership with 2 friends. They 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 in 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.