Aerial Work Platforms
The AWP or aerial work platform is a machinery designed and engineered to raise employees and gear to a particular height for the completion of jobs. The type of equipment varies with the particular brand and model. Before aerial work platforms were made, all tasks requiring work at high levels had to be carried out with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept numerous employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
The three main kinds of aerial work platforms are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These types of machinery are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically making use of a rack and pinion system or with screws or by hydraulics. These units may be self-propelled with controls located at the platform, they may be unpowered models that need an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle so as to be transported.
John L. Grove was an American industrialist and inventor who is widely credited to developing the aerial work platform. Nonetheless, during 1966, prior to JLG's first model, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift unit.
During 1967, after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove together with his wife decided to take a road trip. They opted to 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 could raise employees safely in the air for them to perform maintenance and construction tasks in a better way.
John bought a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership together with 2 friends, once he returned home from his trip. The small business soon started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform during 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.