How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
There are important safety reasons for forklift drivers to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The operator has to know when the forklift is running low on gas. Some types of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the machine shuts off automatically when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is really unsafe and can cause personal injury and product damage. Newer models are designed differently to avoid this from happening. The driver can operate a handle which stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is situated. The gauge looks much like the gas gauge on a car. It is a small round object located either on the valve on the propane tank or on the dash of the forklift where the rest of the gauges and controls are located.
2 Make sure to always keep the gauge cover clean so that information behind the glass is legible.
3 Look for the indicator needle at the bottom of the gauge. This needle shows 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 will mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm arrives 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 points at the middle line it means that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Note that there are smaller lines halfway between the middle lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest the F, it will mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is one-fourth full.