Aerial Work Platforms
The AWP or aerial work platform is a machinery engineered and designed to raise workers and gear to a certain height for the completion of jobs. The kind of machine varies with the specific brand and model. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all jobs needing work at high levels had to be done with scaffolding. Thus, the invention of aerial work platforms has kept many workers safe and increased the overall productivity of similar jobs.
There are 3 key kinds of aerial work platforms. They are mechanical lifts, scissorlifts and boomlifts. These types of machines could 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 models requiring an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle so as 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, before the first model of JLG, a company called Selma Manlift launched 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 business Grove Manufacturing. They opted to stop at Hoover Dam. While the couple was there, Grove unfortunately witnessed 2 employees electrocuted while they were working on scaffolding. This tragic event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which could safely raise employees in the air for them to perform maintenance and construction tasks in a better way.
John bought a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership along with 2 friends, when he returned home from his trip. The small business immediately started designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new company was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly launched their first aerial work platform during 1970 with the aid of 20 workers.