Aerial Work Platforms
The AWP or aerial work platform is a machinery designed and engineered to raise workers and tools to a particular height for the completion of tasks. The type of machine varies with the particular brand and model. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks which need work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar jobs and kept a lot of workers safe.
There are 3 key kinds of aerial work platforms. They are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These kinds of machinery could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using a rack and pinion system or by hydraulics or with screws. 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 in order to be transported.
John L. Grove was an American industrialist and inventor who is widely credited to devising 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.
During the year 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 incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which could safely lift employees in the air for them to do construction and maintenance tasks 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 vacation. The small company soon began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their very first aerial work platform during 1970 with the aid of 20 employees.