Aerial Work Platforms
The aerial work platform or AWP is a machinery engineered and designed to elevate workers and tools to a certain height for the completion of jobs. The type of machinery varies with the particular brand and model. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks needing work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Therefore, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar tasks and kept numerous workers safe.
There are 3 key kinds of aerial work platforms. They are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These types of machines could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically utilizing a rack and pinion system or with screws or by hydraulics. These units 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.
John L. Grove was an American inventor and industrialist who is widely credited to developing the aerial work platform. However, during 1966, before JLG's first unit, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift model.
During 1967, after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove along with his wife decided to take a road trip. 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 that can raise workers safely in the air for them to perform maintenance and construction tasks in a better way.
When John returned home from his vacation, he purchased a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership together with 2 friends. They soon started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform during 1970 with the aid of 20 employees.