Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are engineered and designed to raise workers and their gear to a particular height so as to finish a task. The particular model and manufacturer and kind of equipment all varies. Before aerial work platforms were made, all jobs that require work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar tasks and kept many employees safe.
The three main types of aerial work platforms are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These machines are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically via a rack and pinion system or with screws or by hydraulics. These models may be self-propelled with controls at the platform, they may be unpowered units that need an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle in order to be transported.
The aerial work platform was developed by John L. Grove, an American industrialist and inventor. However, in 1966, before JLG's very first model, a company referred to as Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift model.
During 1967, after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove along with his wife decided to take a road trip. They opted to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately saw 2 workers electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which can safely lift employees in the air for them to do maintenance and construction tasks in a better way.
When John returned home from his vacation, he bought a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership along with 2 friends. They immediately started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their very first aerial work platform in 1970 with the aid of 20 employees.