Aerial Work Platforms
The AWP or aerial work platform is a machinery designed and engineered to elevate employees and tools to a certain height for the completion of tasks. The kind of equipment varies with the particular brand and model. Before aerial work platforms were made, all jobs needing work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar jobs and kept numerous workers safe.
There are 3 key types of aerial work platforms. They are scissor lifts, boomlifts and mechanical lifts. These machines can 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 units which require an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle in order to be transported.
The aerial work platform was developed by John L. Grove, an American industrialist and inventor. However, during 1966, prior to the first unit of JLG, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift model.
John L. Grove and his wife decided to take a road trip in the year 1967. This was after selling his previous company 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 which can raise workers safely in the air for them to perform construction and maintenance tasks in a better way.
Once John returned home from his vacation, he purchased a small metal fabrication business and formed a partnership along with 2 friends. They immediately started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their first aerial work platform during the year 1920 with the aid of 20 workers.