A scissor lift is a mobile scaffold used to raise people and materials. The platform goes up and down using crisscrossed beams that move in a scissor-like way. Scissor lifts can help with any task that involves elevated workspaces, including sign hanging, ceiling work, light fixture installation, or maintenance tasks. They are also useful for outdoor projects such as bricklaying, tree trimming, or working on power lines.Scissor lifts come in different sizes that can commonly reach from 19 to 50 feet off the ground. Compact scissor lift models are lighter but can hold less, while bigger models have less maneuverability but a higher weight capacity.