How to Read a Forklift Propane or LP Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers must know some safety factors when figuring out how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. Operators must know when the forklift is running low on propane or fuel. Some types of forklifts which are older are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the equipment shuts off automatically when the vehicle runs out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could lead to personal injury and product damage. Newer kinds of forklifts 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 Make sure you know where the propane gauge is located. Forklift propane gauge are a lot like an automobile's gas gauge. It is a small round object situated either on the propane tank's valve or on the forklift dash where the rest of the gauges and controls are situated.
2 Always keep the cover of the gauge clean so that the lines and letters behind the glass are legible.
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: E for empty and F for full. When the needle arm points at the letter E, it will 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 totally full.
5 Notice the line in the middle of the gauge. When the needle arrives at the middle line it means that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Typically, there are smaller lines midway between the middle lines. These lines mean 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 touches the quarter mark closest to E, the tank is one-fourth full.