How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers must understand certain safety factors when figuring out how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. Operators must know when the forklift is running low on propane or fuel. Several types of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the equipment shuts off automatically when it is out of fuel. This is really not sage and can result in personal injury and product damage. Newer kinds of forklifts are designed differently to prevent this from occurring. The operator could use 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 dash of the forklift where the controls and rest of the gauges are situated or on the propane tank's valve.
2 Keep the gauge cover clean so that the lines and letters behind the glass are legible.
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 found on the gauge: E for empty and F for full. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is completely empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it would mean 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 would mean that 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 touches the quarter mark closest to the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle points at the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is a quarter full.