How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
There are essential safety reasons for forklift operators to know how to read a forklift propane bottle gauge. The driver needs to know when the forklift is almost out of gas. Some kinds of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks lower slowly to the ground and the machinery shuts off automatically when it is out of fuel. This is very unsafe and could lead to personal injury and product damage. Newer types 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 Know where the propane gauge is located. The gauge looks a lot like the gas gauge on a car. 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 Keep the gauge cover clean so that the lines and letters behind the glass are readable.
3 Locate the indicator needle at the bottom of the gauge. This needle would show you how much fuel is still in the propane tank.
4 There are two letters found on the gauge: E for empty and F for full. When the needle arm touches the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is completely 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 middle line it will mean the tank is half full of propane.
6 Also there are smaller lines halfway between the middle lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle points at the quarter mark closest to the F, it will mean that there is three-fourths of a tank remaining. When the needle arrives at the quarter mark nearest E, the tank is one-fourth full.