How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers must understand some safety factors when figuring out how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. Drivers must know when the forklift is running low on propane or fuel. Some kinds of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the machine shuts off automatically when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is really unsafe and can cause product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to avoid this from happening. 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 situated. Forklift propane gauge looks like a car's gas gauge. It is a small round object situated either on the forklift dash where the controls and rest of the gauges are located or on the propane tank's valve.
2 Always 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 shows you how much fuel is still inside the propane tank.
4 There are two letters found on the gauge: F for full and E for empty. When the needle arm points at 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 totally full.
5 In the middle of the gauge, there is a line. When the needle touches the middle line it would mean the tank is half full of propane.
6 Typically, there are smaller lines midway between the middle lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark closest to the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is a quarter full.