Aerial Work Platforms
Aerial work platforms or AWPs are engineered and designed to elevate employees and their gear to a particular height so as to finish a task. The particular unit and manufacturer and type of equipment all varies. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all jobs that require work at high levels needed to be done with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept many employees safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
The three key kinds of aerial work platforms are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These types of machines are able to be operated with pneumatics, mechanically utilizing a pinion and rack system or by hydraulics or with screws. These models may be self-propelled with controls situated 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.
The aerial work platform was created by John L. Grove, an American industrialist and inventor. Nonetheless, during the year 1966, prior to JLG's very first model, a company referred to as Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift model.
In the year 1967, after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove together with his wife decided to take a road trip. They decided to make a stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 2 employees electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This terrible event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which could safely lift employees in the air for them to do maintenance and construction tasks in a better way.
When John returned home from his vacation, he bought a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership with 2 friends. They soon began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform during 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.