Aerial Work Platforms
Aerial work platforms or AWPs are designed and engineered to raise employees and their tools to a particular height so as to complete a task. The particular model and manufacturer and type of equipment all varies. Before aerial work platforms were made, all jobs needing work at high levels had to be carried out with scaffolding. Therefore, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar jobs and kept a lot of workers safe.
There are 3 main types of aerial work platforms. They are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These machinery are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically via a pinion and rack system or with screws or by hydraulics. These units 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 developing the aerial work platform. Nevertheless, in 1966, before the first unit of JLG, a company known as Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift unit.
John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip during 1967. This was after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing. They decided to make a 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 can safely raise employees in the air for them to perform maintenance and construction tasks in a better way.
John purchased a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership together with 2 friends, when he returned home from his vacation. The small business soon began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their first aerial work platform in the year 1920 with the aid of 20 workers.