Aerial Work Platforms
The aerial work platform or AWP is a machinery designed and engineered to elevate employees and tools to a particular height for the completion of tasks. The kind of machine varies with the particular brand and model. Before aerial work platforms were made, all tasks that require work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Therefore, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept numerous employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
The three main kinds of aerial work platforms are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These types of equipment can be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using a rack and pinion system or with screws or by hydraulics. These units 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 industrialist and inventor. Nevertheless, during the year 1966, before the very first unit of JLG, a company referred to as Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift model.
In 1967, after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip. They opted to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 2 employees electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which could lift employees safely in the air for them to perform construction and maintenance jobs in a better way.
John bought a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership along with 2 friends, when he returned home from his vacation. The small business immediately started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform in 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.