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 running low on gas. Some older forklift models are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the machine shuts off automatically when the vehicle is out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could lead to product damage and personal injury. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to prevent this from happening. The operator can utilize a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is located. The gauge looks a lot like the gas gauge on an automobile. It is a small round object situated either on the propane tank's valve or on the forklift dash where the controls and rest of the gauges are located.
2 Make sure to keep the gauge cover clean so that information behind the glass is readable.
3 Situated at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle shows you how much fuel is still in the propane tank.
4 There are two letters 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 points at the letter F, it means that the propane tank is completely full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle touches the middle line it means that 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 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 closest to E, the tank is one-fourth full.