How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
There are essential safety reasons for forklift drivers to know how to read a propane bottle gauge on a forklift. The driver has to know when the forklift is running low on gas. Some older forklift models are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the machine automatically shuts off when the vehicle is out of fuel. This is really not sage and could lead to product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to prevent 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 located. The gauge looks a lot like the gas gauge on an automobile. 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 valve on the propane tank.
2 Make sure to always keep the gauge cover clean so that information behind the glass is readable.
3 Look for the indicator needle at the bottom of the gauge. This needle will show you how much fuel is still inside the propane tank.
4 There are two letters on the gauge: E for empty and F for full. When the needle arm points at the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm arrives at the letter F, it would mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle arrives at the halfway line it would mean that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Normally, there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle points at the quarter mark nearest 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.