How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift operators should know certain safety factors when figuring out how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. Drivers must know when the forklift is running low on fuel or propane. Several types of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the machinery shuts off automatically when the vehicle is out of fuel. This is really unsafe and could lead to personal injury and product damage. Newer models are designed differently to prevent this from happening. The operator can use 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 controls and rest of the gauges are located or on the valve on the propane tank.
2 Always keep the gauge cover clean so that the lines and letters behind the glass are legible.
3 Located 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 points at the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm points at the letter F, it means that the propane tank is completely full.
5 In the middle of the gauge, there is a line. When the needle touches the middle line it means that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Also there are smaller lines halfway between the middle 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 touches the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is a quarter full.