Aerial Work Platforms
The aerial work platform or AWP is a machinery designed and engineered to elevate workers and gear to a particular height for the completion of tasks. The type of machine varies with the particular make and model. Before aerial work platforms were made, all tasks requiring work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept many workers safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
There are 3 key kinds of aerial work platforms. They are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These machines can be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using a rack and pinion system or with screws or by hydraulics. These models may be self-propelled with controls located at the platform, they may be unpowered units requiring 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 creating the aerial work platform. Nevertheless, in 1966, before the first model of JLG, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift unit.
John L. Grove together with his wife decided to take a road trip during 1967. This was after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing. They opted to make a stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 2 workers electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This terrible event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product that could raise employees safely in the air for them to do maintenance and construction jobs in a better way.
When John returned home from his trip, he bought a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership along with 2 friends. They soon 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 workers.