Aerial Work Platforms
The aerial work platform or AWP is a machinery designed and engineered to elevate workers and tools to a particular height for the completion of jobs. The kind of equipment varies with the specific brand and model. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks requiring work at high levels had to be carried out with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept a lot of workers safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
There are 3 main types of aerial work platforms. They are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These machines could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically utilizing a pinion and rack system or by hydraulics or with screws. These units may be self-propelled with controls located at the platform, they may be unpowered units needing an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle so as to be transported.
The aerial work platform was created by John L. Grove, an American inventor and industrialist. However, during 1966, prior to JLG's first model, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift model.
John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip in 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 event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which could raise employees safely in the air for them to do construction and maintenance jobs in a better way.
When John returned home from his trip, he bought a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership along with 2 friends. They immediately began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their very first aerial work platform in the year 1920 with the aid of 20 workers.