Aerial Work Platforms
The AWP or aerial work platform is a machine designed and engineered to raise workers and tools to a particular height for the completion of jobs. The kind of equipment varies with the particular brand and unit. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks needing work at high levels had to be carried out with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept a lot of employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
There are 3 main types of aerial work platforms. They are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These machinery could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically via a pinion and rack system or by hydraulics or with screws. These units may be self-propelled with controls at the platform, they may be unpowered units needing an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle so as to be transported.
The aerial work platform was created by John L. Grove, an American inventor and industrialist. Nevertheless, during 1966, before JLG's very first unit, a company called Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift unit.
During 1967, after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip. They opted to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 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 raise employees safely in the air for them to do construction and maintenance jobs in a better way.
John purchased a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership along with 2 friends, when he returned home from his trip. The small business soon started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their very first aerial work platform in the year 1920 with the aid of 20 workers.