Aerial Work Platforms
Aerial work platforms or AWPs are engineered and designed to elevate workers and their tools to a particular height in order to complete a task. The particular unit and manufacturer and type of machine all varies. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks requiring work at high levels needed to be done with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept numerous employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
There are 3 main kinds of aerial work platforms. They are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These types of machines are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using a rack and pinion system or with screws or by hydraulics. These units 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 in order to be transported.
John L. Grove was an American industrialist and inventor who is widely credited to creating the aerial work platform. Nonetheless, in the year 1966, prior to the very first model of JLG, a company referred to as Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift unit.
John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip in the year 1967. This was after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing. They opted to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately saw 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 lift employees safely in the air for them to perform construction and maintenance tasks in a better way.
John purchased a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership along with 2 friends, once he returned home from his vacation. The small business immediately started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their first aerial work platform during the year 1920 with the aid of 20 employees.