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 do a task. The specific unit and manufacturer and type of equipment all varies. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all jobs requiring work at high levels had to be done with scaffolding. Therefore, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept numerous 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 equipment could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically making use of a rack and pinion system or with screws or by hydraulics. These units 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 inventor and industrialist. However, in 1966, prior to the very first unit of JLG, a company known as Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift model.
John L. Grove along with his wife decided to take a road trip during 1967. This was after selling his previous company Grove Manufacturing. They opted to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 2 workers electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic incident led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product that can lift employees safely in the air for them to do construction and maintenance tasks in a better way.
When John returned home from his vacation, he bought a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership along with 2 friends. They soon started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their first aerial work platform in 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.