Aerial Work Platforms
The AWP or aerial work platform is a machinery designed and engineered to raise workers and tools to a particular height for the completion of tasks. The kind of equipment varies with the specific make and unit. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks requiring work at high levels had to be carried out with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept many workers safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
There are 3 key kinds of aerial work platforms. They are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These machinery can be operated with pneumatics, mechanically via a pinion and rack system or by hydraulics or with screws. These models may be self-propelled with controls situated at the platform, they may be unpowered units requiring an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle so as to be transported.
The aerial work platform was developed by John L. Grove, an American industrialist and inventor. However, in the year 1966, before JLG's first model, a company referred to as Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift model.
In the year 1967, after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip. They decided to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 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 could lift workers safely in the air for them to do construction and maintenance tasks in a better way.
John purchased a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership with 2 friends, when he returned home from his trip. The small company immediately began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their first aerial work platform in 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.