An elevating lift includes a stabilizer base with extendable legs to provide minimum to maximum stability during use and transport. A lift system is fixed to the stabilizer base, and a platform assembly is mounted to the top of the lift system to be selectively raised or lowered by the lift system. The lift system utilizes 3-stage telescoping cage assemblies interconnected to extend or retract relative to each other for realizing lifting. A traction drive assembly with a traction lift system is mounted to the stabilizer base to act on the cage assemblies for relative movement. An adjustable guardrail is mounted to a platform of the platform assembly to provide safety for the user.