How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers must know some safety considerations when figuring out how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. Drivers should know when the forklift is low on propane or fuel. Some older forklift models are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the equipment automatically shuts off when it runs out of fuel. This is really not sage and can lead to personal injury and product damage. Newer kinds of forklifts are designed differently to avoid this from occurring. The driver can operate a handle which 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 propane tank's valve or on the forklift dash where the controls and rest of the gauges are located.
2 Keep the gauge cover clean so that the letters and lines behind the glass are readable.
3 Located at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle will show you how much fuel is still in the propane tank.
4 On the gauge: F represents full and E represents empty. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it would 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 touches the middle line it will mean that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Usually, there are smaller lines midway between the middle lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle points at the quarter mark closest to the F, it will mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is a quarter full.