A system and method of controlling a scissors lift vehicle are provided. The system includes a main computer including one or more processors and one or more memory devices communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, a steer controller configured to receive commands from the main computer to control a plurality of independently steerable wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly including a steer angle sensor, a steer angle actuator, and a drive motor, and a scissors lift controller configured to control a hydraulic piston assembly including a hydraulic fluid reservoir internal to a piston rod assembly. The system also includes a tilt sensor configured to determine an angle of incline the scissors lift vehicle, a variable-speed steer actuator configured to rotate a wheel assembly about the steer axis of rotation at a selectable rate, and a wheel including a respective drive axis of rotation.