Aerial Work Platforms
The AWP or aerial work platform is a machine designed and engineered to raise workers and tools to a particular height for the completion of jobs. The type of machinery varies with the particular make and unit. Before aerial work platforms were made, all tasks needing work at high levels needed to be done with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept many employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
There are 3 key kinds of aerial work platforms. They are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These machinery are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically making use of a rack and pinion system or by hydraulics or with screws. These models may be self-propelled with controls at the platform, they may be unpowered units needing 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 inventor and industrialist. Nonetheless, during 1966, before the first model of JLG, a company referred to as Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift unit.
In the year 1967, after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip. They opted to make a 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 raise employees safely in the air for them to do maintenance and construction jobs 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 immediately 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 the year 1920 with the aid of 20 workers.