How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers should understand certain safety considerations when figuring out how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. Drivers must know when the forklift is running low on propane or fuel. Several older forklift models are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the machine shuts off automatically when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is very not sage and can lead to product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to avoid this from happening. The driver could operate a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is situated. The gauge looks much like the gas gauge on a car. It is a small round object located either on the valve on the propane tank or on the dash of the forklift where the controls and rest of the gauges are located.
2 Always keep the gauge cover clean so that the letters and lines behind the glass are readable.
3 Located at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle shows you how much fuel is still inside the propane tank.
4 There are two letters on the gauge: E for empty and F for full. When the needle arm points at the letter E, it means that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm points at the letter F, it means that the propane tank is totally full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle touches the halfway line it will mean that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Typically, there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle touches the quarter mark closest to the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle points at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is one-fourth full.