Aerial Work Platforms
Aerial work platforms or AWPs are designed and engineered to elevate workers and their tools to a particular height in order to carry out a job. The particular model and manufacturer and type of machinery all varies. Before aerial work platforms were made, all jobs that require work at high levels had to be carried out with scaffolding. Therefore, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept a lot of workers safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
The three key types of aerial work platforms are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These machinery are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using a rack and pinion system or by hydraulics or with screws. These units may be self-propelled with controls situated 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.
John L. Grove was an American industrialist and inventor who is widely credited to developing the aerial work platform. Nevertheless, during the year 1966, prior to the very first model of JLG, a company called Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift unit.
During 1967, after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove together with 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 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 lift employees safely in the air for them to perform construction and maintenance tasks in a better way.
John bought a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership with 2 friends, once he returned home from his trip. The small business immediately began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform in 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.