How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift operators should know certain safety considerations when figuring out how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. Drivers should know when the forklift is low on propane or fuel. Several kinds of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the equipment shuts off automatically when the vehicle is out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could result in personal injury and product damage. Newer models are designed differently to avoid this from happening. The operator can use a handle which stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is situated. The gauge looks a lot like the gas gauge on an automobile. 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 valve on the propane tank.
2 Keep the cover of the gauge clean so that the lines and letters behind the glass are readable.
3 Situated at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle would show 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 would mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 In the middle of the gauge, there is a line. When the needle arrives at the middle line it will mean 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 touches the quarter mark nearest the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is one-fourth full.