Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are designed and engineered to elevate employees and their gear to a certain height so as to complete a job. The specific unit and manufacturer and kind of machinery all varies. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all jobs requiring work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept numerous employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
The three key kinds of aerial work platforms are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These equipment can be operated with pneumatics, mechanically via a pinion and rack system or with screws or by hydraulics. These units may be self-propelled with controls located at the platform, they may be unpowered models that need 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 inventor and industrialist. Nevertheless, during 1966, prior to JLG's very first model, a company called Selma Manlift launched 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 business Grove Manufacturing. They decided 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 tragic incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which could safely lift workers in the air for them to perform maintenance and construction tasks in a better way.
When John returned home from his trip, he purchased a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership along with 2 friends. They immediately started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their very first aerial work platform during 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.