How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
There are important safety reasons for forklift operators to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The driver needs to know when the forklift is running low on gas. Some kinds of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks slowly lower to the ground and the equipment automatically shuts off when the vehicle is out of fuel. This is very unsafe and can result in personal injury and product damage. Newer types of forklifts are designed differently to avoid this from happening. The operator can utilize 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 are a lot like an automobile's gas gauge. 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 Keep the cover of the gauge clean so that the letters and lines behind the glass are readable.
3 Located at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle shows you how much fuel is still in the propane tank.
4 On the gauge: E represents empty and F represents full. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it will mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm points at the letter F, it means that the propane tank is completely full.
5 There is a line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle touches the middle line it would mean the tank is half full of propane.
6 Normally, there are smaller lines midway between the middle lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark nearest the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is one-fourth full.