How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
There are essential safety reasons for forklift drivers to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The driver has to know when the forklift is almost out of gas. Some older forklift models are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the machinery shuts off automatically when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is really unsafe and could cause product damage and personal injury. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to avoid this from occurring. The driver could operate a handle which stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make certain you know where the propane gauge is located. Forklift propane gauge are a lot like a car's gas gauge. It is a small round object situated either on the forklift dash where the controls and rest of the gauges are situated or on the valve on the propane tank.
2 Keep the cover of the gauge clean so that the lines and letters behind the glass are legible.
3 Locate the indicator needle at the bottom of the gauge. This needle shows you how much fuel is still in the propane tank.
4 There are two letters on the gauge: E for empty and F for full. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it will mean that the propane tank is completely empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it means that the propane tank is totally full.
5 In the middle of the gauge, there is a line. When the needle arrives at the middle line it means that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Typically, there are smaller lines midway between the middle lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle points at the quarter mark closest to the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is a quarter full.