How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
There are important safety reasons for forklift operators to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The driver needs to know when the forklift is almost out of gas. Some older forklift models are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the equipment shuts off automatically when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is really unsafe and could lead to product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to prevent this from happening. The operator could utilize a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make certain you know where the propane gauge is situated. Forklift propane gauge are a lot like a car's gas gauge. It is a small round object located either on the forklift dash where the rest of the gauges and controls are situated or on the propane tank's valve.
2 Make certain to keep the cover of the gauge clean so that information behind the glass is readable.
3 Look for the indicator needle at the bottom of the gauge. This needle would show you how much fuel is still in the propane tank.
4 There are two letters found on the gauge: F for full and E for empty. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it will mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it means that the propane tank is completely full.
5 There is a line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle arrives at the middle line it means the tank is half full of propane.
6 Also there are smaller lines halfway between the middle lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle points at the quarter mark nearest the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is a quarter full.