Aerial Work Platforms
The aerial work platform or AWP is a machinery engineered and designed to elevate workers and gear to a particular height for the completion of jobs. The kind of equipment varies with the specific brand and unit. Before aerial work platforms were made, all tasks that require work at high levels had to be done with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar jobs and kept many employees safe.
There are 3 key kinds of aerial work platforms. They are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These types of machinery could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically making use of a rack and pinion system or by hydraulics or with screws. 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.
The aerial work platform was developed by John L. Grove, an American inventor and industrialist. Nonetheless, during 1966, before the first model of JLG, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift unit.
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 stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately saw 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 safely lift employees in the air for them to do maintenance and construction jobs in a better way.
John bought a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership along with 2 friends, when he returned home from his vacation. The small business immediately started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform in the year 1920 with the aid of 20 employees.