Aerial Work Platforms
Aerial work platforms or AWPs are engineered and designed to raise employees and their gear to a particular height in order to carry out a job. The specific model and manufacturer and kind of machine all varies. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all jobs requiring work at high levels needed to be done with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar jobs and kept a lot of workers safe.
The three key types of aerial work platforms are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These equipment are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using a pinion and rack system or by hydraulics or with screws. 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 developed by John L. Grove, an American industrialist and inventor. Nonetheless, in the year 1966, before JLG's very 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 during the year 1967. This was after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing. They decided to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately saw 2 workers electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This terrible incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product that can lift workers safely in the air for them to do maintenance and construction jobs in a better way.
John purchased a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership with 2 friends, when he returned home from his trip. The small business soon began 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 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.