How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
There are essential 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 almost out of gas. Several kinds of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the equipment shuts off automatically when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is really unsafe and can lead to product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to avoid this from happening. The driver could operate a handle which stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make sure you know where the propane gauge is located. 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 controls and rest of the gauges are located.
2 Make certain to always keep the cover of the gauge 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 inside the propane tank.
4 There are two letters on the gauge: F for full and E for empty. When the needle arm points at the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it will mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 There is a line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle arrives at the halfway line it means that 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 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.