Aerial Work Platforms
The aerial work platform or AWP is a machinery designed and engineered to raise employees and gear to a certain height for the completion of jobs. The type of machine varies with the specific brand and model. Before aerial work platforms were developed, all tasks that require 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 jobs and kept numerous workers safe.
The three main types of aerial work platforms are boomlifts, mechanical lifts and scissorlifts. These types of machinery could be operated with pneumatics, mechanically using 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 models which need an external force to move them or be mounted to a vehicle in order to be transported.
John L. Grove was an American inventor and industrialist who is widely credited to creating the aerial work platform. Nevertheless, in the year 1966, prior to the very first model of JLG, a company known as Selma Manlift introduced an aerial lift model.
During 1967, after selling his previous business Grove Manufacturing, John L. Grove along with his wife decided to take a road trip. 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 terrible event led John Grove to discover an untapped market for a new product which could lift employees safely in the air for them to perform construction and maintenance jobs in a better way.
When John returned home from his vacation, he bought a small metal fabrication company and formed a partnership together with 2 friends. They immediately began designing ideas for the aerial work platform. The new business was called JLG Industries Inc. They proudly released their very first aerial work platform in the year 1920 with the aid of 20 workers.