Aerial Work Platforms
The AWP or aerial work platform is a machinery engineered and designed to raise workers and tools to a certain height for the completion of jobs. The type of machinery varies with the particular make and model. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all jobs needing work at high levels needed to be done with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept many workers safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
The three key kinds of aerial work platforms are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These types of machines could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically making use of a pinion and rack system or with screws or by hydraulics. These models 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.
John L. Grove was an American industrialist and inventor who is widely credited to creating the aerial work platform. However, during 1966, before the very first model of JLG, a company called Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift unit.
John L. Grove together with his wife decided to take a road trip during the year 1967. This was after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing. They decided to make a stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 2 employees electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which can raise workers safely in the air for them to perform construction and maintenance tasks in a better way.
John bought a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership together with 2 friends, when he returned home from his vacation. The small company immediately started 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.