How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers must understand some safety considerations when figuring out how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. Drivers must know when the forklift is low on propane or fuel. Several kinds of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks slowly lower to the ground and the machine shuts off automatically when it runs out of fuel. This is really unsafe and could lead to personal injury and product damage. Newer models are designed differently to prevent this from occurring. The driver could operate a handle which 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 located either on the forklift dash where the rest of the gauges and controls are located or on the propane tank's valve.
2 Make sure to keep the cover of the gauge clean so that information behind the glass is readable.
3 Located at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle will show you how much fuel is still in the propane tank.
4 There are two letters on the gauge: F for full and E for empty. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it means that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it will mean that the propane tank is totally full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle points at the middle line it means the tank is half full of propane.
6 Usually, there are smaller lines midway between the middle lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark nearest the F, it would mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle touches the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is a quarter full.