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 finish a job. The particular unit and manufacturer and kind of machinery all varies. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks requiring work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar jobs and kept many workers safe.
The three key types of aerial work platforms are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These machinery could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically making use of a rack and pinion system or with screws or by hydraulics. These units may be self-propelled with controls situated at the platform, they may be unpowered models which require an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle in order to be transported.
The aerial work platform was devised by John L. Grove, an American inventor and industrialist. However, during 1966, before JLG's very first unit, a company referred to 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 company Grove Manufacturing. They opted to make a 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 which could safely lift employees in the air for them to do construction and maintenance tasks in a better way.
Once John returned home from his vacation, he purchased a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership with 2 friends. They soon started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their first aerial work platform during the year 1920 with the aid of 20 workers.