How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers should know some safety factors when figuring out how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. Operators must know when the forklift is low on propane or fuel. Some kinds of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the machinery automatically shuts off when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is really unsafe and could cause personal injury and product damage. Newer kinds of forklifts are designed differently to avoid this from occurring. The operator could use a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make certain you know where the propane gauge is situated. Forklift propane gauge looks like an automobile's gas gauge. It is a small round object located either on the propane tank's valve or on the forklift dash where the rest of the gauges and controls are located.
2 Make sure to always keep the cover of the gauge clean so that information behind the glass is legible.
3 Locate the indicator needle at the bottom of the gauge. This needle will show 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 arrives at 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 points at the halfway line it will mean the tank is half full of propane.
6 Also there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark nearest 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.