Aerial Work Platforms
The aerial work platform or AWP is a machine designed and engineered to raise employees and tools to a particular height for the completion of jobs. The kind of machinery varies with the specific brand and unit. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all jobs needing work at high levels needed to be done with scaffolding. Therefore, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept numerous employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
There are 3 main types of aerial work platforms. They are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These types of machines can be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using 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 units requiring an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle so as to be transported.
The aerial work platform was developed by John L. Grove, an American industrialist and inventor. However, in the year 1966, prior to JLG's very first model, a company known as Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift model.
During 1967, after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip. 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 which can raise employees safely in the air for them to do maintenance and construction 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 company soon began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their first aerial work platform in 1970 with the aid of 20 employees.