Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are engineered and designed to raise workers and their tools to a particular height in order to carry out a task. The specific model and manufacturer and type of machinery all varies. Before aerial work platforms were made, all tasks needing work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept many employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
There are 3 main kinds of aerial work platforms. They are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These types of equipment could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using a pinion and rack system or with screws or by hydraulics. These units may be self-propelled with controls located at the platform, they may be unpowered models needing an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle in order to be transported.
John L. Grove was an American industrialist and inventor who is widely credited to developing the aerial work platform. However, during the year 1966, prior to JLG's very first unit, a company known as Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift unit.
In 1967, after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove together with his wife decided to take a road trip. They opted 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 terrible event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which could safely lift workers in the air for them to perform construction and maintenance jobs in a better way.
Once John returned home from his trip, he bought a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership together with 2 friends. They immediately began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform in 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.