How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift operators should know some safety considerations when figuring out how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. Drivers must know when the forklift is running low on propane or fuel. Some kinds of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the machinery automatically shuts off when the vehicle is out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could lead to personal injury and product damage. Newer models are designed differently to avoid this from occurring. The operator can utilize 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 looks like a car's gas gauge. 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 Keep the gauge cover clean so that the letters and lines behind the glass are readable.
3 Look for the indicator needle at the bottom of the gauge. This needle would show you how much fuel is still inside the propane tank.
4 On the gauge: E represents empty and F represents full. When the needle arm arrives at the letter E, it means that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm points at the letter F, it will mean 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 the tank is half full of propane.
6 Normally, there are smaller lines midway between the middle lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle touches the quarter mark closest to the F, it would mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is a quarter full.