How to Read a Forklift LP or propane Bottle Gauge
Forklift drivers must understand 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. Several kinds of forklifts that are older are designed so that the forks lower to the ground slowly and the equipment shuts off automatically when the vehicle 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 prevent this from occurring. The driver could operate 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 are a lot like an automobile's gas gauge. It is a small round object located either on the forklift dash where the controls and rest of the gauges are located or on the propane tank's valve.
2 Keep the gauge cover clean so that the letters and lines behind the glass are legible.
3 Located at the bottom of the gauge is the indicator needle. This needle shows 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 touches the letter E, it would mean that the propane tank is totally empty. When the needle arm touches the letter F, it would mean that the propane tank is completely full.
5 In the middle of the gauge, there is a line. When the needle arrives at the halfway line it means that the tank is half full of propane.
6 Also there are smaller lines midway between the halfway lines. These lines mean quarters. When the needle arrives 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.