Aerial Work Platforms
The aerial work platform or AWP is a machine engineered and designed to elevate employees and gear to a particular height for the completion of jobs. The type of machine varies with the particular make and model. Before aerial work platforms were made, all jobs needing work at high levels had to be carried out with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept many employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar tasks.
There are 3 key types of aerial work platforms. They are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These machines are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically utilizing a pinion and rack system or with screws or by hydraulics. These models may be self-propelled with controls at the platform, they may be unpowered units that require 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. Nonetheless, during the year 1966, prior to JLG's very first unit, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift model.
In the year 1967, after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove along with his wife decided to take a road trip. They decided to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately saw 2 employees electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This terrible incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product that could safely lift workers in the air for them to perform maintenance and construction tasks in a better way.
When John returned home from his vacation, he purchased a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership with 2 friends. They soon started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform in 1970 with the aid of 20 employees.