Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are designed and engineered to elevate employees and their tools to a particular height in order to do a task. The specific model and manufacturer and type of machinery 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 many workers safe.
The three main kinds of aerial work platforms are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These types of machines could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically utilizing a rack and pinion system or by hydraulics or with screws. These units may be self-propelled with controls at the platform, they may be unpowered units needing an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle in order to be transported.
The aerial work platform was created by John L. Grove, an American industrialist and inventor. Nevertheless, during 1966, before the very first unit of JLG, a company called Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift unit.
In 1967, after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove together 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 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 which could safely raise workers in the air for them to perform construction and maintenance jobs 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 business was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their very first aerial work platform during the year 1920 with the aid of 20 employees.