Aerial Work Platforms
Aerial work platforms or AWPs are designed and engineered to elevate employees and their gear to a particular height so as to finish a task. The specific model and manufacturer and type of machine all varies. Before aerial work platforms were made, all tasks needing work at high levels had to be carried out with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept many employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
The three main kinds of aerial work platforms are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These kinds of machines could 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 that require an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle so as to be transported.
The aerial work platform was devised by John L. Grove, an American industrialist and inventor. Nevertheless, during 1966, before JLG's very first unit, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift unit.
John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip in 1967. This was after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing. They decided to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 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 raise workers safely in the air for them to perform maintenance and construction jobs in a better way.
John purchased a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership together with 2 friends, once he returned home from his trip. The small company soon started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their first aerial work platform during 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.