Aerial Work Platforms
AWP or aerial work platforms are designed and engineered to raise employees and their tools to a certain height so as to do a task. The specific model and manufacturer and kind of machinery all varies. Before aerial work platforms were made, all tasks requiring work at high levels needed to be carried out with scaffolding. Therefore, the invention of aerial work platforms has increased the overall productivity of similar tasks and kept many workers safe.
There are 3 main kinds of aerial work platforms. They are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These machinery could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using a pinion and rack system or by hydraulics or with screws. These units may be self-propelled with controls at the platform, they may be unpowered models requiring 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. Nevertheless, during 1966, prior to the very first model of JLG, a company called Selma Manlift launched an aerial lift unit.
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 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 tragic event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product that could safely lift workers 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 business was named JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform in the year 1920 with the aid of 20 workers.