Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are designed and engineered to raise employees and their tools to a particular height in order to finish a job. The particular model and manufacturer and kind of machine all varies. Before aerial work platforms were made, all tasks needing work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept many workers safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
The three key kinds of aerial work platforms are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These kinds of machines could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically making use of a rack and pinion 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.
John L. Grove was an American industrialist and inventor who is widely credited to devising the aerial work platform. Nevertheless, in the year 1966, before JLG's very first model, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift model.
John L. Grove together with his wife decided to take a road trip during the year 1967. This was after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing. They opted to make a stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 2 employees electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic event 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.
John purchased a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership together with 2 friends, when he returned home from his vacation. The small company soon started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their very first aerial work platform during the year 1920 with the aid of 20 workers.