Aerial Work Platforms
Aerial work platforms or AWPs are designed and engineered to raise employees and their gear to a particular height so as to do a job. The specific unit and manufacturer and type of machinery all varies. Before aerial work platforms were made, all tasks that require work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar tasks and kept many workers safe.
The three key kinds of aerial work platforms are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These kinds of equipment are able to 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 at the platform, they may be unpowered models needing an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle in order to be transported.
The aerial work platform was created by John L. Grove, an American inventor and industrialist. Nonetheless, during 1966, before 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 during 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 witnessed 2 employees electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product that could raise employees safely in the air for them to do construction and maintenance jobs in a better way.
John purchased a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership together with 2 friends, once he returned home from his vacation. The small business immediately began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their very first aerial work platform during 1970 with the aid of 20 employees.