How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
There are important safety reasons for forklift operators to know how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. The operator has to know when the forklift is running low on gas. Some older forklift models 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 really not sage and can cause product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to prevent this from occurring. The driver could operate a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is located. The gauge looks much like the gas gauge on a car. It is a small round object situated either on the forklift dash where the rest of the gauges and controls are located or on the propane tank's valve.
2 Make sure to always keep the cover of the gauge clean so that information behind the glass is legible.
3 Situated at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle shows you how much fuel is still inside the propane tank.
4 There are two letters found on the gauge: E for empty and F for full. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it will mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it means that the propane tank is completely full.
5 In the middle of the gauge, there is a line. When the needle arrives at the halfway line it would mean that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Also there are smaller lines halfway between the middle lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle points at the quarter mark nearest 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 one-fourth full.