How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers should understand some safety factors when figuring out how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. Drivers must know when the forklift is low on fuel or propane. Several 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 unsafe and can lead to personal injury and product damage. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to prevent this from occurring. The operator could use a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is situated. The gauge looks a lot like the gas gauge on an automobile. It is a small round object situated either on the dash of the forklift where the rest of the gauges and controls are situated or on the propane tank's valve.
2 Make sure to keep the cover of the gauge clean so that information behind the glass is readable.
3 Look for 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: E for empty and F for full. When the needle arm arrives at the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is completely empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it means that the propane tank is totally full.
5 There is a line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle arrives at the middle line it will mean the tank is half full of propane.
6 Typically, 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 nearest E, the tank is one-fourth full.