Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are engineered and designed to raise employees and their gear to a particular height so as to do a task. The particular model and manufacturer and kind of equipment all varies. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks needing work at high levels needed to be done with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept numerous employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
There are 3 key kinds of aerial work platforms. They are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These kinds of machines could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically utilizing a pinion and rack system or with screws or by hydraulics. These models 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 so as to be transported.
John L. Grove was an American inventor and industrialist who is widely credited to devising the aerial work platform. Nevertheless, during the year 1966, before the very first unit of JLG, a company called Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift model.
John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip during 1967. This was after selling his previous company 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 event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which can safely lift workers in the air for them to do construction and maintenance jobs in a better way.
When John returned home from his vacation, he purchased a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership along with 2 friends. They immediately started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their very first aerial work platform in 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.