How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
There are important safety reasons for forklift drivers to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The operator needs to know when the forklift is almost out of gas. Several kinds of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the equipment automatically shuts off when the vehicle is out of fuel. This is really unsafe and could lead to personal injury and product damage. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to prevent this from happening. The operator could utilize 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 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 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 inside the propane tank.
4 On the gauge: E represents empty and F represents full. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it means that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it would mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 There is a line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle arrives at the middle line it means the tank is half full of propane.
6 Normally, there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle points at the quarter mark closest to the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is a quarter full.