Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are designed and engineered to raise workers and their gear to a particular height in order to complete a job. The specific model and manufacturer and kind of machinery all varies. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks needing work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept a lot of workers safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
The three main types of aerial work platforms are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These equipment could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically making use of a rack and pinion system or with screws or by hydraulics. These models may be self-propelled with controls located at the platform, they may be unpowered units that need an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle in order to be transported.
The aerial work platform was created by John L. Grove, an American inventor and industrialist. Nevertheless, during 1966, prior to JLG's very first model, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift model.
In 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 saw 2 employees electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product that could safely lift employees in the air for them to do maintenance and construction jobs in a better way.
When John returned home from his trip, he purchased a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership along with 2 friends. They soon started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their very first aerial work platform during 1970 with the aid of 20 employees.