How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers should understand some safety considerations when figuring out how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. Drivers should know when the forklift is running low on propane or fuel. Several kinds of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the machine automatically shuts off when the vehicle is out of fuel. This is really unsafe and can result in product damage and personal injury. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to avoid this from occurring. The operator can utilize a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make certain you know where the propane gauge is located. Forklift propane gauge looks like a car's gas gauge. It is a small round object located either on the valve on the propane tank or on the forklift dash where the rest of the gauges and controls are situated.
2 Make sure to always keep the cover of the gauge clean so that information behind the glass is legible.
3 Situated at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle shows you how much fuel is still in the propane tank.
4 There are two letters found on the gauge: E for empty and F for full. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is completely empty. When the needle arm points at the letter F, it will mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 There is a line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle touches the middle line it means the tank is half full of propane.
6 Also there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle points at the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is one-fourth full.