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 operator needs to know when the forklift is almost out of gas. Some older forklift models are designed so that the forks slowly lower to the ground and the machinery shuts off automatically when it is out of fuel. This is very unsafe and can cause product damage and personal injury. Newer models are designed differently to avoid this from occurring. The operator can utilize a handle which stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Make certain you know where the propane gauge is located. 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 Make certain to 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 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 means that the propane tank is completely empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it will mean that the propane tank is totally full.
5 There is a line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle points at the halfway line it means that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Note that there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines indicate quarters. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark closest to the F, it would mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle points at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is a quarter full.