Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are engineered and designed to elevate employees and their gear to a certain height in order to do 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 carried out with scaffolding. Therefore, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar jobs and kept numerous employees safe.
There are 3 main types of aerial work platforms. They are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These types of equipment can be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using a pinion and rack system or with screws or by hydraulics. These models may be self-propelled with controls located at the platform, they may be unpowered models requiring 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. Nonetheless, during 1966, prior to JLG's first unit, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift unit.
In the year 1967, after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove along with his wife decided to take a road trip. 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 event 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 tasks in a better way.
John bought a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership with 2 friends, when he returned home from his vacation. The small business soon began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform during 1970 with the aid of 20 employees.