JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company [NYSE:OSK] and a leading manufacturer of aerial work platforms and telescopic material handlers, today announced the availability of SkyGuard™, an aftermarket accessory that provides enhanced control panel protection for boom lifts.

When activated by approximately 50 pounds of force, the SkyGuard sensor, which can be initiated from a variety of angles, stops all functions. Its unique reverse functionality – the first feature of its kind in the market – stops all functions and then undoes most functions that were in use at the time of sensor activation for less than a second’s worth of time. The control system automatically accesses the functions in use by the operator at the time of SkyGuard activation, and - for a small period of time - is able to reverse that sequence, with the exception of certain functions.

In a situation where extreme force is exerted, the sensor bar breaks away to provide additional space for the operator. A horn and optional blue flashing beacon simultaneously alerts other workers on the job site to sensor activation.

“SkyGuard was developed after extensive research and testing,” said Jeff Ford, JLG Industries global product director. “The results clearly demonstrate JLG’s ongoing commitment to innovation that enhances both productivity and enhanced control panel protection.”

Positioned in front of the platform control panel, SkyGuard does not limit platform work space or the capacity of the boom lift or disrupt operator visibility. SkyGuard uses no movable parts, eliminating the need for scheduled or additional maintenance. In addition, it can be installed on most combustion-powered JLG® boom lifts manufactured from 2004 and after.