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 operator needs to know when the forklift is almost out of gas. Several types of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the equipment shuts off automatically when it runs out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could lead to personal injury and product damage. Newer models are designed differently to avoid this from happening. The operator could use a handle that stops the forks from falling when the propane runs out.
1 Know where the propane gauge is located. The gauge looks much like the gas gauge on a car. It is a small round object situated either on the dash of the forklift where the rest of the gauges and controls are located or on the valve on the propane tank.
2 Make sure 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 in the propane tank.
4 On the gauge: F represents full and E represents empty. When the needle arm touches 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 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle touches the halfway line it would mean 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 touches the quarter mark closest to the F, it means there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle points at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is one-fourth full.