Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are designed and engineered to raise employees and their tools to a certain height in order to finish a job. The particular unit and manufacturer and type of machine all varies. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all jobs that need work at high levels had to be done with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept many employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
There are 3 key types of aerial work platforms. They are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These kinds of machinery are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using a rack and pinion system or with screws or by hydraulics. These units may be self-propelled with controls 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.
John L. Grove was an American inventor and industrialist who is widely credited to creating the aerial work platform. Nonetheless, in the year 1966, prior to the very first unit of JLG, a company known as Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift unit.
John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip in 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 workers electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which can lift employees safely in the air for them to do construction and maintenance jobs in a better way.
When John returned home from his vacation, he bought 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 called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform during the year 1920 with the aid of 20 employees.