How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
There are important safety reasons for forklift operators to know how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. The driver has to know when the forklift is almost out of gas. Several kinds of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks slowly lower to the ground and the machine automatically shuts off when the vehicle is out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could cause product damage and personal injury. Newer kinds of forklifts are designed differently to prevent this from occurring. The operator could use 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 looks like an automobile's gas gauge. It is a small round object situated 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 gauge cover clean so that the letters and lines behind the glass are legible.
3 Located at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle will show 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 touches the letter E, it will mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm points at the letter F, it would mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle touches the middle line it means 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 points at the quarter mark nearest the F, it would mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle points at the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is a quarter full.