Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are engineered and designed to elevate employees and their tools to a certain height in order to do a task. The particular model and manufacturer and type of machinery all varies. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks needing work at high levels had to be done with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept numerous workers safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
The three main types of aerial work platforms are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These equipment can be operated with pneumatics, mechanically via a rack and pinion system or with screws or by hydraulics. These units may be self-propelled with controls situated 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 inventor and industrialist. However, during the year 1966, before JLG's very first model, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift model.
John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip in the year 1967. This was after selling his previous company 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 terrible event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product that could lift workers safely in the air for them to do maintenance and construction tasks in a better way.
John bought a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership together with 2 friends, once he returned home from his trip. The small company immediately began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform in 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.