Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are designed and engineered to raise employees and their gear to a particular height so as to carry out a job. The particular model and manufacturer and type of equipment all varies. Before aerial work platforms were made, all jobs requiring work at high levels had to be carried out with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar jobs and kept many employees safe.
The three main kinds of aerial work platforms are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These machines are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically making use of a pinion and rack system or with screws or by hydraulics. These models may be self-propelled with controls at the platform, they may be unpowered models needing an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle in order to be transported.
John L. Grove was an American inventor and industrialist who is widely credited to developing the aerial work platform. Nonetheless, during the year 1966, before JLG's first model, a company known as Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift unit.
In 1967, after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove together with his wife decided to take a road trip. They decided to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately saw 2 employees electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This terrible incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product that can raise employees safely in the air for them to perform maintenance and construction jobs in a better way.
Once John returned home from his trip, he bought a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership along with 2 friends. They soon started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform during 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.