If you spend any significant time working in a scissor lift or on a platform, especially during the summer, you know the struggle. It gets hot up there. You’re close to the ceiling, there is zero airflow, and safety gear isn’t known for being breathable.
For years, tradespeople have rigged up awkward solutions—bungee-cording standard jobsite fans to rails or just suffering through it.
Milwaukee tool finally listened and released a dedicated solution: The M18 Brushless Scissor Lift Fan (Model 0817-20). But is it worth the investment, or is it just another accessory?
We got our hands on one, took it up 40 feet, and put it to the test. You can check out our full review and demonstration in the video below, or keep reading for a summary of what we found.
Why This Isn’t “Just Another Fan”
What makes this fan unique isn’t necessarily the air it moves (though it moves a lot), but how it mounts. This is the industry’s first fan designed from the ground up for dedicated scissor lift cooling.
If you are a contractor looking to improve crew comfort (and productivity), or an individual tired of working in a pool of sweat, here are the key features we covered in the video that make this a game-changer:
1. The 2-Inch Quick-Adjust Clamp
This is the heart of the tool. It features a robust, quick-adjust clamp that grabs onto square or round rails up to 2 inches thick in seconds. Forget the bungee cords. In the video, we demonstrate how securely this thing mounts to different areas of the lift rail, and it does not budge.
2. Serious Airflow (750 CFM)
This fan utilizes the M18 Brushless motor to push air at up to 19.5 MPH and a massive 750 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute). That is a significant amount of air movement, especially when it is pointed directly at you from a few feet away. We tested the variable speed dial in the video so you can see the difference between “gentle breeze” and “high-speed gale.“
3. Total Adjustability
Milwaukee designed this fan with a head that offers 350° of horizontal rotation and 210° of vertical tilt. It allows you to put the air exactly where you need it, regardless of where on the rail you mounted it.
4. Jobsite Tough & Safety Conscious
Working at heights means you have to be careful about dropping things. Milwaukee included an integrated 10 lb. locking tool lanyard tether point. It’s also built to typical Milwaukee “trade-tough” standards with a reinforced design and IP rating against dust and water.
Our Final Verdict
Does the Milwaukee M18 Scissor Lift Fan live up to the hype?
We went into the review thinking it might be a niche luxury item. After using it on the jobsite, we’ve changed our tune. If you work on a lift daily, this isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for stamina and safety in high heat.
Watch the full video to see the mounting speed test, the battery runtime results, and our honest thoughts on the price point.
What’s Your Current Scissor Lift Setup?
Are you still using bungee cords and a bucket fan? Let us know in the comments of the YouTube video, and don’t forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more tool reviews!
