How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers should know certain safety considerations when figuring out how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. Drivers must know when the forklift is running low on fuel or propane. Some kinds of forklifts that are older 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 very unsafe and can cause personal injury and product damage. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to avoid this from occurring. The driver can operate a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make certain 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 forklift dash where the controls and rest of the gauges are located or on the valve on the propane tank.
2 Keep the gauge cover clean so that the letters and lines behind the glass are legible.
3 Locate the indicator needle at the bottom of the gauge. This needle would 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 touches the letter E, it means that the propane tank is completely empty. When the needle arm points at 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 the tank is half full of propane.
6 Note that there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines indicate 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 points at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is a quarter full.