A hydraulic scissor lift is a type of aerial work platform that uses a scissor-like mechanism to raise and lower a platform. They are mobile and can be used in a variety of outdoor and indoor settings, unlike passenger lifts designed for permanent installation within buildings to move people between floors. The name "scissor lift" comes from the scissor-like mechanism that is used to raise and lower the platform. This mechanism consists of linked folding supports that are arranged in a crisscross pattern. When the hydraulic rams push the supports apart, the platform rises. When the rams retract, the supports fold back together, and the platform descends.

Hydraulic scissor lifts are classified by OSHA as mobile-supported scaffold work platforms rather than aerial lifts because the lifting mechanism moves only vertically. This means that they are not designed to be driven or towed while elevated. Hydraulic scissor lifts are a safe and efficient way to access elevated work areas. When choosing a hydraulic scissor lift, it is important to consider the height you need to reach, the weight capacity you need, and the type of terrain you will be using the lift on.