How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
There are essential safety reasons for forklift drivers to know how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. The operator has to know when the forklift is almost out of gas. Some older forklift models are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the machine automatically shuts off when it is out of fuel. This is really not sage and can cause product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to prevent this from happening. The operator could use a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is situated. The gauge looks much like the gas gauge on a car. It is a small round object located either on the valve on the propane tank or on the forklift dash where the rest of the gauges and controls are situated.
2 Always keep the gauge cover clean so that the lines and letters 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 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 completely empty. When the needle arm points at the letter F, it means that the propane tank is totally full.
5 There is a line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle touches the middle line it means 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 will mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle points at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is a quarter full.