Aerial Work Platforms
Aerial work platforms or AWPs are engineered and designed to raise employees and their tools to a particular height in order to do a job. The specific unit and manufacturer and type of machinery all varies. Before aerial work platforms were made, all tasks that require work at high levels needed to be done with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar tasks and kept numerous employees safe.
There are 3 key types of aerial work platforms. They are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These machines can be operated with pneumatics, mechanically utilizing a rack and pinion system or by hydraulics or with screws. These models may be self-propelled with controls situated at the platform, they may be unpowered models needing an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle so as to be transported.
The aerial work platform was devised by John L. Grove, an American inventor and industrialist. Nevertheless, during the year 1966, prior to 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 business Grove Manufacturing. They decided to make a stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately saw 2 employees electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which can lift employees safely 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 soon began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform in 1970 with the aid of 20 employees.