Aerial Work Platforms
The AWP or aerial work platform is a machinery designed and engineered to elevate workers and tools to a certain height for the completion of jobs. The kind of machine varies with the particular brand and model. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks which require work at high levels had to be done with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept a lot of employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
The three main kinds of aerial work platforms are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These kinds of machinery could 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 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.
The aerial work platform was created by John L. Grove, an American inventor and industrialist. Nonetheless, in 1966, before JLG's very first unit, a company referred to as Selma Manlift launched 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 company Grove Manufacturing. They opted to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately saw 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 can lift employees safely in the air for them to do construction and maintenance tasks in a better way.
Once John returned home from his vacation, he bought a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership with 2 friends. They soon started 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 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.