Aerial Work Platforms
The AWP or aerial work platform is a machinery engineered and designed to raise employees and tools to a particular height for the completion of tasks. The type of machinery varies with the particular make and unit. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all jobs needing work at high levels had to be carried out with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept a lot of employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
There are 3 key types of aerial work platforms. They are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These types of equipment can be operated with pneumatics, mechanically making use of 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 models 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 creating the aerial work platform. Nonetheless, in 1966, prior to JLG's first unit, a company referred to as Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift model.
John L. Grove along with his wife decided to take a road trip during the year 1967. This was after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing. They decided to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 2 workers electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which can lift workers safely in the air for them to perform construction and maintenance tasks in a better way.
John bought a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership together with 2 friends, when he returned home from his vacation. The small company immediately 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 the year 1920 with the aid of 20 workers.