Aerial Work Platforms
Aerial work platforms or AWPs are engineered and designed to elevate workers and their gear to a certain height so as to finish a task. The specific unit and manufacturer and kind of equipment all varies. Before aerial work platforms were made, all jobs needing work at high levels needed to be done with scaffolding. Hence, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar jobs and kept a lot of workers safe.
The three main types of aerial work platforms are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These equipment can be operated with pneumatics, mechanically making use of a pinion and rack system or with screws or by hydraulics. These models may be self-propelled with controls located at the platform, they may be unpowered units 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, prior to the first model 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 in 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 workers electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This terrible incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product that can raise workers safely in the air for them to perform construction and maintenance jobs in a better way.
When John returned home from his trip, he purchased a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership with 2 friends. They soon began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their very first aerial work platform in the year 1920 with the aid of 20 workers.