Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are designed and engineered to raise workers and their gear to a particular height in order to do a job. The specific model and manufacturer and kind of equipment all varies. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks that need work at high levels had to be carried out with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept a lot of employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
The three main kinds of aerial work platforms are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These machinery can be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using a pinion and rack system or by hydraulics or with screws. These models may be self-propelled with controls located at the platform, they may be unpowered units needing 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 devising the aerial work platform. Nevertheless, in 1966, before the first model of JLG, a company called Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift unit.
During 1967, after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip. They decided 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 incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which can raise workers safely in the air for them to do 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 in the year 1920 with the aid of 20 workers.