Aerial Work Platforms
Aerial work platforms or AWPs are designed and engineered to raise employees and their tools to a particular height so as to do a job. The particular model and manufacturer and type of machine all varies. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all jobs needing work at high levels had to be done with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept a lot of employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
There are 3 key types of aerial work platforms. They are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. 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 models requiring an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle so as to be transported.
The aerial work platform was developed by John L. Grove, an American inventor and industrialist. However, in the year 1966, before JLG's first unit, a company known as Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift unit.
During 1967, after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove along with his wife decided to take a road trip. They opted to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately saw 2 workers electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which can raise workers safely in the air for them to do construction and maintenance jobs in a better way.
Once John returned home from his vacation, he purchased 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 company was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their very first aerial work platform in the year 1920 with the aid of 20 employees.