Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are designed and engineered to raise employees and their tools to a certain height so as to complete a task. The specific model and manufacturer and kind of equipment all varies. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks requiring work at high levels had to be done with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept many workers safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
There are 3 key types of aerial work platforms. They are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These types of machinery can be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using a pinion and rack system or with screws or by hydraulics. These models may be self-propelled with controls situated at the platform, they may be unpowered models requiring 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 devising the aerial work platform. Nevertheless, during 1966, prior to JLG's first model, a company known as Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift unit.
John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip during the year 1967. This was after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing. They decided to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately saw 2 workers electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This terrible event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product that could safely raise workers in the air for them to perform construction and maintenance tasks in a better way.
Once John returned home from his trip, he bought a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership together with 2 friends. They immediately began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their first aerial work platform in 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.