Aerial Work Platforms
The aerial work platform or AWP is a machine designed and engineered to raise employees and gear to a certain height for the completion of jobs. The type of machine varies with the particular brand and model. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all jobs needing work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Therefore, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept numerous employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
There are 3 main kinds of aerial work platforms. They are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These kinds of machinery are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using a rack and pinion system or by hydraulics or with screws. These models may be self-propelled with controls located at the platform, they may be unpowered units which need 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, in the year 1966, prior to the first model of JLG, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift unit.
In the year 1967, after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip. They opted to make a stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 2 employees 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 employees safely in the air for them to perform maintenance and construction tasks in a better way.
John purchased a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership with 2 friends, once he returned home from his trip. The small company soon started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their very first aerial work platform during 1970 with the aid of 20 employees.