How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
There are essential safety reasons for forklift operators to know how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. The operator needs to know when the forklift is running low on gas. Several kinds of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the equipment shuts off automatically when it runs out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could result in product damage and personal injury. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to prevent this from occurring. The driver could operate a handle which 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 a car. 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 Keep the cover of the gauge clean so that the letters and lines behind the glass are legible.
3 Locate the indicator needle at the bottom of the gauge. This needle shows you how much fuel is still in the propane tank.
4 There are two letters found on the gauge: F for full and E for empty. When the needle arm points at the letter E, it will mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it would mean that the propane tank is totally full.
5 There is a 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 Typically, there are smaller lines midway between the middle 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 closest to E, the tank is one-fourth full.