Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are designed and engineered to raise workers and their gear to a certain height in order to complete a job. The specific model and manufacturer and type of equipment all varies. Before aerial work platforms were made, all tasks which need work at high levels needed to be done with scaffolding. Therefore, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept numerous workers safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
There are 3 key types of aerial work platforms. They are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These types of equipment can 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 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 inventor and industrialist who is widely credited to developing the aerial work platform. Nevertheless, in 1966, before the first model of JLG, a company referred to as Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift unit.
John L. Grove together with his wife decided to take a road trip in 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 witnessed 2 workers electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This terrible incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which can raise employees safely in the air for them to do construction and maintenance tasks in a better way.
Once John returned home from his trip, he purchased a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership along with 2 friends. They soon began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their first aerial work platform in 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.