How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
There are important safety reasons for forklift operators to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The driver has to know when the forklift is running low on gas. Some types of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks slowly lower to the ground and the equipment automatically shuts off when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could cause product damage and personal injury. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to prevent 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 a lot like the gas gauge on an automobile. It is a small round object situated either on the propane tank's valve or on the forklift dash where the controls and rest of the gauges are situated.
2 Always keep the cover of the gauge 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 in the propane tank.
4 There are two letters found on the gauge: E for empty and F for full. When the needle arm arrives at the letter E, it means that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it will mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 There is a line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle touches the middle line it will mean that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Normally, there are smaller lines midway between the middle lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle points at the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is one-fourth full.